LAS VEGAS: A Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas on Wednesday morning, killing the driver and injuring seven others. The FBI is investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism.
The explosion, captured in videos by onlookers, engulfed the vehicle in flames as it sat near the hotel’s entrance. The tragic incident happened hours after a separate truck attack in New Orleans killed 15 revelers. Authorities are probing whether the two incidents are linked.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill addressed the media, stating, “The involvement of a Cybertruck at the Trump Hotel raises critical questions we aim to answer.” FBI special agent Jeremy Schwartz confirmed that while the cause of the blast remains under investigation, the use of fireworks or a bomb is suspected.
We have now confirmed that the explosion was caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck and is unrelated to the vehicle itself.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 1, 2025
All vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion. https://t.co/HRjb87YbaJ
Tesla CEO Elon Musk clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that the explosion was not caused by the vehicle itself. “Telemetry data confirms the Cybertruck was functioning normally at the time. The explosion was caused by large fireworks or a bomb placed in the truck bed,” Musk wrote.
The Cybertruck, a 2024 model-year rental from Turo, was destroyed in the blast. The driver, identified but not publicly named, rented the vehicle in Colorado. A Turo spokesperson stated that the renter had no criminal background and the company is cooperating fully with law enforcement.
The Trump Hotel was evacuated, and visitors were relocated for safety. Las Vegas firefighters arrived within minutes to extinguish the blaze, while two injured individuals were hospitalized with minor injuries.
As investigations continue, authorities are considering the possible connection to the New Orleans attack, where an explosive device was discovered. The Cybertruck’s role in the Las Vegas incident remains central to the inquiry.
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