Las Vegas authorities are investigating a Tesla Cybertruck explosion that occurred outside the Trump Hotel on the morning of 1 January. The incident left one person dead—the driver—and seven others with minor injuries.
According to the Las Vegas Police Department, the truck was rented in Colorado and arrived in the city just two hours before it detonated outside the hotel. The vehicle, parked near the glass entrance of the Trump Hotel, began to emit smoke before erupting in an explosion, launching multi-coloured fireworks in all directions.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill shared footage of the explosion during a press conference, showing the vehicle bursting into flames. Photos of the aftermath revealed a collection of fuel canisters and firework mortars in the truck bed. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, leaving behind a charred vehicle surrounded by debris.
The explosion occurred around 8:40 AM PT (15:40 GMT), hours after another deadly attack in New Orleans, where a man drove a truck displaying an Islamic State (IS) flag into a crowd, killing 15 people and injuring dozens. Authorities are investigating possible links between the two incidents.
President Joe Biden addressed the explosion in an evening statement, confirming that the White House is monitoring the situation and that law enforcement is investigating potential connections to the New Orleans attack.
Sheriff McMahill said the FBI and local authorities are examining whether the incident was an act of terrorism or if it targeted specific figures like President-Elect Donald Trump, who co-owns the Trump Hotel, or Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla.
“We are looking into all possibilities, including whether the explosion is connected to the New Orleans attack or to any political or corporate entities involved,” McMahill stated.
The FBI noted no evidence has yet linked the Las Vegas explosion to IS. Investigators are working to identify the driver and determine if they were the individual who rented the truck through Turo, an app-based car rental service.
In a statement, Turo expressed its cooperation with authorities and confirmed that neither of the renters involved in the Las Vegas or New Orleans incidents had criminal backgrounds.
The Trump Hotel was evacuated, with guests relocated to other accommodations. Eric Trump, the son of President-Elect Trump, acknowledged the incident in a post on X (formerly Twitter), thanking emergency responders for their swift action.
The explosion has drawn heightened security concerns, given its location on the iconic Las Vegas Strip and the political connections to the Trump Hotel. Authorities assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the community.
“We are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of Las Vegas residents and visitors,” McMahill added.
President Biden confirmed that federal agencies are assisting in the investigation as they work to determine the motive behind the explosion. (Agencies)
