A blast in rural Tennessee that levelled an explosives plant this week killed 16 people, authorities say, and has left the community reeling.

The explosion on Friday devastated the Accurate Energetic Systems plant, which researched and supplied ordnance for the United States military.

The cause of the blast remains unknown and investigators are continuing to comb the scene for clues.

"There's a gauntlet of emotions there," Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said during a news conference.

" We've recovered no survivors. "

Mr Davis said 19 people were believed to have been missing and feared dead in the immediate aftermath.

"There's a lot of people hurting. A lot of people who are crying a lot of tears," senior pastor Tim Farris said at a vigil at Hurricane Chapel in McEwen.

"We

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