Authorities in the United States are investigating a suspected terrorist attack after an explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck occurred outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The blast, which occurred on Wednesday morning, resulted in the death of the driver and left seven others with minor injuries. The names of the victims have not been released.
The truck, which had been rented in Colorado, arrived in Las Vegas just hours before the explosion, which took place near the hotel’s glass entrance.
Witnesses reported that the vehicle began emitting smoke before the explosion, which scattered fuel canisters and firework mortars from the truck’s bed.
The truck was positioned in front of the hotel when it detonated, sending multi-colored fireworks in various directions.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Police Department released dramatic footage of the explosion, showing the aftermath and investigators covering the area with a fire-retardant tarp.
Authorities are currently exploring potential links to a separate attack in New Orleans earlier on New Year’s Day, in which a man drove a truck bearing an Islamic State flag into a crowd, killing 15 people and injuring several others.
Investigators are also examining possible connections to President-elect Donald Trump, the hotel’s owner, and Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk.
President Joe Biden addressed the situation, confirming that the White House was monitoring the incident and law enforcement was exploring the possibility of a connection between the two explosions.
While authorities have not confirmed any links to terrorist groups, the FBI has launched a probe into whether the Las Vegas explosion could be classified as an act of terrorism.
The driver’s identity remains unknown, and authorities have clarified that there is no evidence linking the explosion to ISIS.
“Our goal is to determine if this is a terrorist attack, and that’s what we’re investigating,” said FBI special agent Jeremy Schwartz.
Both the Las Vegas and New Orleans vehicles were rented through Turo, a car-sharing service.
A Turo spokesperson confirmed that the company is cooperating with authorities but emphasized that neither renter had a criminal background that would suggest a security threat.
The spokesperson also expressed condolences for the victims of both incidents.
In response to the explosion, the Trump Hotel was evacuated as a precaution, and guests were relocated to other accommodations.
Sheriff McMahill assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the Las Vegas community.
Eric Trump, the son of President-elect Donald Trump, acknowledged the incident via social media, confirming the electric vehicle fire and thanking the local fire department and law enforcement for their swift response.
Witness Stephen Ferlando, who was staying on the 53rd floor of the hotel, described the explosion as powerful, noting that the building’s windows shook. The Trump Hotel, a 64-floor property, houses around 1,300 suites.
Following the incident, President Trump appointed Elon Musk to co-lead a new advisory commission on government efficiency, highlighting their close relationship during Trump’s presidential campaign.
