The community near the site of the deadly Tennessee factory explosion mourns the 16 dead

Local worshipers gathered Sunday to pay tribute to the 16 people killed during a Catastrophic explosion at a rural munitions factory in Tennessee.

Services were tailored to the victims and their families, many of whom were part of the close-knit community surrounding the plant of Accurate Energetic Systems, a large local employer and military contractor specializing in explosives.

“There’s kind of a sombre atmosphere right now in the community just because so many lives have been affected,” said Pastor Jimmy Andrews of Maple Valley Baptist Church in Nunnelly.

“Family and friends are just trying to support each other during this difficult time.”

Churches in nearby towns, including one attended by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, held services and similar vigils on Sunday as the area continued to reel from Friday’s explosion.

“The losses are staggering,” Lee told reporters outside the Church of Mercy in Waverley after surveying the damage from the explosion by helicopter.

The cause of the explosion, which destroyed the plant in McEwen, a wooded area between the Tennessee River and Nashville, remains under investigation.

Authorities are slowly combing through the wreckage of the destroyed facility, which has turned into scorched metal and burned vehicles.

All 16 missing individuals have been confirmed dead. The identities of the deceased have not yet been revealed.

Officials initially said 19 people were feared missing and possibly killed in the explosion.

The massive explosion was felt more than 20 miles away.

As investigators worked through the rubble, officials warned the public that controlled explosions would be conducted to safely dispose of any hazardous materials still present at the site.

“Extraordinary precautions were taken to prevent further damage and injury,” the Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

“The surrounding community is safe, but you may hear noise and see some smoke.”

Many residents are now dealing with the emotional fallout from the deadly explosion.

Brandon Brick, a 42-year-old churchgoer at Maple Valley Baptist, said many in the area depend on “church families” to get through.

“It was a tragic time,” he added. “We will withdraw.”

The city of McEwen lowered its flags at half-mast on Saturday. A candlelight vigil is also scheduled for Sunday evening in honor of the victims.

“We will continue to play a supportive role for those affected in any way we can because they are our friends, neighbors and citizens in our community,” McEwen Mayor Brad Rashford said in an email Sunday.

During his sermon on Sunday, Andrews urged his congregation to take care of each other in the days ahead.

“Lord, I just pray that we lift up those who are still suffering from this tragic event,” he said.

With mail wires.