Photos| The building vanished… 16 killed in a bomb factory explosion in the United States

A huge explosion occurred in an explosives factory in The explosion Friday in the town of Baxnord at a factory belonging to a company "Accurate Energetic Systems" Which manufactures explosives for military purposes and for demolition operations.

The explosion destroyed an entire building in the large factory complex and caused tremors that were felt by residents of homes kilometers away, causing the scattering of shrapnel, according to what media reports said.

After it was believed that 18 missing persons were initially killed, a police chief said Humphreys County Chris Davis "We were able to determine the locations and confirm that the other two individuals were not there" When the accident occurred, their vehicle and personal belongings were at the site, which initially led to the belief that they were among the victims.

The company described in a statement The explosion is "Tragic accident"

But Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives official Bryce McCracken told reporters late Saturday that authorities "Today we are no closer at all to determining the source and cause of this explosion"

Davis was previously unable to rule out that the incident was staged, explaining that it may take a while to uncover the truth. "Several days, weeks, or months".