TENNESSEE — Authorities have identified Trent Stewart as the first confirmed victim who is considered as missing in Friday’s catastrophic explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems (AES) in Middle Tennessee.

The devastating blast — described by investigators as a “mass detonation” — completely leveled a building at the explosives manufacturing facility and left nineteen people dead or unaccounted for, officials said Saturday.

In the hours following the explosion, Stewart’s fiancée, Katy Stover, shared an emotional statement describing the uncertainty and anguish families are enduring as they await official word.

“I’m getting so many messages and it is so hard right now to find the strength to respond to everyone,” Stover wrote. “AES called all families to the facility. They have a list of individuals being treated at the hospital and a list of those still missing. Trent is on the missing list. It was his building that exploded.”

She added that she continues to hold out hope despite the devastating circumstances:

“I am still praying for a miracle because I know my God can do anything he wants to, but I am also realistic about how awful this whole thing is and know the reality of the possible outcome. Please just pray for a miracle. Pray that he is not one of the individuals that needs to be identified. And please pray for me. Pray that God will give me the strength to get through this if the worst is a reality.”

Trent’s mother, Jamie Stewart, also shared a brief message asking for patience and compassion during the difficult wait for confirmation:

“NOTHING HAS BEEN CONFIRMED ABOUT TRENT. The family will update when we know something.”

The explosion occurred around 7:45 a.m. CDT on the AES campus, which spans the Hickman and Humphreys County line, approximately an hour southwest of Nashville. The facility produces military-grade and commercial explosives used in defense, mining, and demolition industries.

Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis described the scene as “the most devastating” he has witnessed in his career.

The explosion obliterated one of the facility’s main structures, scattering debris, twisted metal, and destroyed vehicles across the surrounding area. The force of the blast was so powerful that it rattled homes several miles away and triggered a series of secondary explosions.

Sheriff Davis confirmed multiple fatalities but refrained from providing an exact number, stating, “We’re missing 19 souls.” He added that recovery efforts and investigative operations remain active and that identifying all victims will take time.

“Do I see a short-term explanation? No. Do I see us being here for many days? Yes, I do,” Davis said during a Saturday press briefing.

A massive multi-agency response was launched following the explosion, involving the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), FBI, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). By late morning, emergency teams had stabilized the site and contained potential fire hazards.

According to TriStar Health spokesperson Casey Stapp, three people sustained minor injuries. Two were treated and released, while one remains hospitalized at TriStar Horizon Medical Center in Dickson.

Hickman County Mayor Jim Bates confirmed that AES employs about 80 workers, though it remains unclear how many were inside the destroyed building at the time of the explosion.

The company’s website states that it manufactures “high-quality energetic materials” for both defense and commercial sectors, including bulk explosives and demolition charges.

The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) announced it has opened an investigation into the cause of the explosion.

“The agency has opened an investigation and will be on site once emergency officials clear the area,” TOSHA said in a statement. “To preserve the integrity of the investigation, TOSHA does not release preliminary information or comment while the process is underway.”

Records show TOSHA previously inspected the AES facility on April 22, 2019, following a serious workplace safety incident in which several employees suffered seizures and neurological symptoms after exposure to cyclonite (RDX) — a powerful explosive compound used in military munitions. Five other workers reportedly experienced nervous system impairment after working in the facility’s “Hot House,” where explosive powders were dried and screened.

Authorities have yet to determine the precise cause of Friday’s explosion. Search and recovery teams continue to sift through the wreckage, hoping to locate the remaining missing individuals. Sheriff Davis said investigators are working closely with federal safety and explosives experts to determine what triggered the catastrophic blast.

“This is a tragedy that will stay with our community for years,” Davis said. “Our focus right now is on recovery, accountability, and supporting the families who have lost so much.”