19 people missing after blast levels Tennessee explosives facility

"There's nothing to describe, it's gone," says Humphreys County Sheriff Mike Davis.

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Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said one person initially believed to be on site had been located at home. Four or five people were taken to a nearby hospital after the enormous explosion that levelled the factory.

"There's nothing to describe, it's gone," he said.

The plant in Bucksnort, Tennessee - roughly 56 miles (90km) south-west of Nashville - specialises in the development, manufacture, handling and storage of explosives. The cause of the blast remains unclear.

Aerial video from the scene showed charred debris, smouldering vehicles and little remaining of the facility, which is owned by Accurate Energetic Systems.