WASHINGTON

A powerful explosion at a military explosives facility in a rural part of the US state of Tennessee left multiple people unaccounted for and deceased, officials said on Friday.

The explosion took place at around 7.45 am at Accurate Energetic Systems, a defense, aerospace and demolition company in the city of McEwen. Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said the site suffered a "devastating blast" that "encompassed one whole building that was on the facilities."

"We do have several people at this time that's unaccounted for," Davis told reporters at a news conference. "We can confirm that we do have some that are deceased, but we're going to go back and, like I say, talk to these families, notify these families, and let these families know what's going on."

Identification for those who are presumed missing or confirmed dead remains ongoing.

Davis warned of the potential for additional smaller explosions as first responders seek to contain the ongoing fire, but said authorities are confident that there will not be any further large blasts.

Officials said the firm is fully cooperating amid the ongoing response.