Authorities are investigating an explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The incident, which occurred Wednesday morning, resulted in the death of the driver and minor injuries to seven others.
Officials have yet to release the identities of those involved.
The vehicle, reportedly rented in Colorado, arrived in Las Vegas less than two hours before the explosion. According to police, the truck began emitting smoke before detonating in front of the hotel’s glass entrance.
The blast scattered colorful fireworks in multiple directions, leaving behind charred debris, fuel canisters, and remnants of firework mortars.
In an address Wednesday evening, President Joe Biden stated that federal agencies are monitoring the situation and investigating potential links to a deadly New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, which left 15 dead.
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“We’re tracking the Cybertruck explosion outside Trump Hotel, and law enforcement is exploring any possible connection with the attack in New Orleans,” Biden said.
During an afternoon press briefing, Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill shared footage of the explosion and images of the aftermath, including photos of fuel canisters and large fireworks found in the truck bed.
McMahill noted that investigators were exploring possible motives, including connections to recent events or individuals tied to the truck or hotel.
“Obviously, with a Cybertruck and the Trump Hotel involved, there are a lot of questions we need to answer,” McMahill said. Authorities are also investigating whether the incident could be related to President-elect Donald Trump, who owns the hotel, or Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
FBI officials said they are considering the possibility of terrorism but have not confirmed any ties to extremist groups, including the Islamic State (ISIS), despite similarities to the New Orleans attack, where improvised explosives were discovered.
Jeremy Schwartz, an FBI special agent, stated that investigators had yet to establish whether the Las Vegas explosion was deliberate.
Footage of the incident shows the truck parked in front of the hotel’s entrance for several seconds before erupting into flames. Emergency responders swiftly extinguished the blaze, and the hotel was evacuated, with guests relocated to a nearby facility.
A spokesperson for Turo, the app-based car rental service from which both the Las Vegas and New Orleans vehicles were rented, stated that the company is cooperating with authorities. They confirmed that initial checks on the renters did not reveal any criminal backgrounds or security concerns.
The driver’s identity remains unconfirmed, though authorities said they know the name of the individual who rented the truck. “We are taking every necessary precaution to ensure the safety of our community,” McMahill said, adding that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The Trump Hotel, a 64-story luxury property with over 1,300 suites, was partially owned by President-elect Donald Trump’s company. In a post on social media, Eric Trump acknowledged the incident, referring to it as a “reported electric vehicle fire” and thanked emergency responders for their quick action.
Stephen Ferlando, a guest at the Trump Hotel, described witnessing the explosion from his room on the 53rd floor. “The windows began to shake, and there was definitely an explosion,” he told reporters.
As investigations into both incidents continue, President Biden has emphasized the importance of understanding whether there are any connections between the Las Vegas explosion and the New Orleans attack.
Law enforcement agencies are urging anyone with information about either incident to come forward.
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