The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) announced that it is deploying a team to investigate the fatal explosion that occurred on October 10, 2025, at the Accurate Energetic Systems, LLC (AES) facility in Humphreys County, Tennessee.  According to local officials, the incident resulted in 16 fatalities, several serious injuries, and severe damage to the facility.  AES manufacturers explosive products for the defense and commercial markets.

The CSB team will arrive at the incident scene this week.  Until recently, access to the site was restricted, as it was under the control of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) while the ATF was analyzing the debris field and removing undetonated explosives and other hazardous materials from the site.  The CSB has been in regular contact with the ATF since the explosion occurred and is deploying investigators now that the ATF has completed its activities and returned control of the site back to AES.  The CSB also has been communicating with AES and has requested a range of information and materials from the company about the facility and its operations.    

The ATF has estimated that between 24,000 to 28,000 pounds of explosives detonated on the day of the incident.  The ATF has preliminarily concluded that the blast originated in an area of the facility where mixed explosive materials were heated in production kettles. According to the ATF, other explosive materials located on the same floor of the facility also exploded after the original blast.  

CSB Chairperson Steve Owens said, “This is one of the deadliest industrial incidents in our country in years.  The CSB investigators will conduct an initial assessment of the incident location and will be meeting with AES management, the ATF, and other officials to identify the information necessary to determine the cause of this horrific event.”

The CSB is an independent, nonregulatory federal agency charged with investigating incidents and hazards that result, or may result, in the catastrophic release of extremely hazardous substances. The agency’s core mission activities include conducting incident investigations; formulating preventive or mitigative recommendations based on investigation findings and advocating for their implementation; issuing reports containing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations arising from incident investigations; and conducting studies on chemical hazards.

The agency's board members are appointed by the president subject to Senate confirmation. The Board does not issue citations or fines but makes safety recommendations to companies, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA.

For more information, visit www.csb.gov.