A Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, killing at least one person and injuring seven others. Authorities are investigating if the blast is linked to an earlier truck attack in New Orleans that killed 15.
US President Joe Biden mentioned the ongoing investigation into any possible connections between the two incidents, though no links have been found so far.
The FBI is treating the Las Vegas explosion as an isolated event but is investigating whether it was an act of terrorism.
Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill reported that the truck had been parked outside the hotel before it exploded. Video footage from the scene showed the vehicle bursting into flames, followed by smaller explosions resembling fireworks.
It was revealed that the truck contained gasoline, camping fuel canisters, and large firework mortars in the back, which contributed to the severity of the blast.
Despite the explosion, the hotel’s glass doors remained intact, largely due to the Cybertruck’s design, which directed most of the blast upwards. McMahill confirmed that the explosion caused one fatality and minor injuries to seven individuals.
FBI agent Jeremy Schwartz stated that the investigation focused on confirming the identity of the person involved and determining whether the incident was connected to terrorism.
Authorities have found no indication linking the attack to Islamic State, but the incident is under close scrutiny due to the involvement of Tesla, a company backed by Elon Musk, who also supports President-elect Trump.
Musk addressed the explosion, noting that it was “unrelated to the vehicle itself” and promised that Tesla’s senior team was investigating the matter.
The truck had been rented through the Turo app, which was also used to rent the vehicle in the New Orleans attack. However, no criminal backgrounds were found for the renters, and authorities are continuing to probe this potential coincidence.
The incident remains under investigation as law enforcement examines all possible angles
