At least 19 people are missing after a massive explosion at a US military explosives factory in Tennessee, a local official said. The incident has left an unspecified number of "casualties".
"We can currently confirm that we have 19 people we are looking for," Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said during a press conference.
"I can tell you that there are victims. I don't want to give you a number... But I can tell you right now that we are looking for 19 people," he added.
Davis earlier also said authorities have cordoned off the area, but warned that there could be other smaller explosions at the plant.
Multiple emergency crews were seen at the scene, while the public was urged to avoid the area.
Meanwhile, aerial footage released by American media showed smoke still billowing from the site of the explosion in Hickman County, Tennessee.
"We can confirm that an explosion has occurred at Accurate Energetic Systems in the Buxnort area," local police said earlier in a Facebook post.
"Emergency crews are currently at the scene and working to address the situation," police added.
County Mayor Hickman's office told AFP they could not confirm any casualties or the cause of the explosion.
Accurate Energetic Systems is an explosives manufacturer founded in 1980.
According to the company's Facebook page, it produces "various high-powered explosives and specialty products" for the US Department of Defense, as well as for US industrial markets./REL
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