In the quiet town of Bucksnort, Tennessee, a devastating explosion at the Accurate Energetic Systems (AES) explosives factory has left 16 people presumed dead, shaking the close-knit community to its core. On a chilly autumn night, residents gathered for a candlelit vigil outside the Maple Valley Baptist Church, united in grief and solidarity. The message “Pray for the AES families,” spray-painted on a concrete barrier, echoed the collective heartache of the town. Deacon Danny Bates addressed the approximately 40 attendees, emphasizing the profound loss for the small community of Hickman and Humphreys Counties. “It was just another day at work, and then in an instant, they were gone,” he said, highlighting the unanswered questions surrounding the tragedy. Vigil-goer Jerri Newcombe shared her sorrow, recalling her 20-year friendship with one of the victims. “We celebrated birthdays together. It’s just surreal, because she’s gone and her babies are hurting,” she said, referring to the victim’s children and grandchildren. Local authorities have not yet identified the victims, but Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis confirmed that the focus has shifted from rescue to recovery. “At some point in time, we have got to rip off the Band-Aid,” Davis said, acknowledging the grim reality. The explosion, which occurred on Friday morning, sent shockwaves through the area, drawing hundreds of first responders to the scene. The volatile nature of the explosive materials has complicated the emergency response, with controlled detonations expected in the coming days. Federal investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are on-site, but it could take up to a month to determine the cause of the blast. The AES factory, a major employer in the region, has faced previous safety incidents, including a fatal explosion in 2014. Despite this, residents expressed mostly positive sentiments toward the company, which offers well-paying jobs in an area with limited employment opportunities. As the community grapples with the tragedy, Pastor Tim Ferris of the Hurricane Chapel Free Will Baptist Church praised the resilience and unity of the townspeople. “One thing about a small community is that when something like this happens, they rally around each other,” he said, embodying the spirit of compassion and support that has emerged in the wake of the disaster.
‘In an instant, they were gone’ – small town mourns after Tennessee explosives factory blast
