Authorities identify 16 victims in Tennessee munitions factory explosion

Law enforcement officials have identified the 16 victims who died in an explosion at a munitions plant in the state of Tennessee.

The names were released during a press briefing on Monday outside Accurate Energetic Systems in Hickman County, where an early-morning blast levelled a company building on 10 October. There were no survivors.

Sheriffs Chris Davis of Humphreys County and Jason Craft of Hickman County alternated reading the victims' names and emphasised a "need to take care" of their families at this time.

No cause of the blast has been identified. Agents from the national Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are investigating.

The victims are Jason Adams, Erick Anderson, Billy Baker, Adam Boatman, Christopher Clark, Mindy Clifton, James Cook, Reyna Gillahan, LaTeisha Mays, Jeremy Moore, Melinda Rainey, Melissa Stanford, Trenton Stewart, Rachel Woodall, Steven Wright and Donald Yowell.

The sheriffs said the individuals are presumed deceased and the release of their names does not mean all remains have been identified. That process is ongoing.

Sheriff Davis said that one victim was a teacher, another was his neighbour's husband and another one was one of his best friends, according to local newspaper, The Tennessean.

The sheriff had previously described the blast as one of the most devastating incidents of his career.

He said that while he may not have known all of the victims personally, he knows their family members or extended family members.

The tragedy has hit hard in the close-knit town, where cell service is spotty and a gas station - adorned with a Confederate flag centrepiece - is the local watering hole.

Over the weekend, after nearly two days with little sign of survivors - and an explosion site still considered dangerous for first responders - the once-optimistic Sheriff Davis said the time had come to switch to a recovery strategy over a rescue strategy.

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

Aerial video from the scene showed charred debris, smouldering vehicles and little remaining of the facility but rubble.

Resident Jerri Newcombe told the BBC that her friend of more than 20 years was among the victims. The two met when Newcombe's granddaughter and the victim's daughter became close as little girls.

"They grew up together - we were in each other's homes," Newcombe said at a weekend vigil. "We celebrated birthdays together. It's just surreal, because she's gone and her babies are hurting."