A Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday, killing one individual and injuring at least seven others. The FBI has launched an investigation into the incident, which unfolded just hours after a truck attack in New Orleans that killed at least 10 people.
Witnesses inside and outside the hotel captured dramatic footage showing the Cybertruck engulfed in flames. The vehicle had been parked outside the hotel when the explosion occurred.
Authorities have identified that the blast was not caused by the vehicle itself but by large fireworks or a bomb placed in the truck’s bed. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, also a key adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, clarified that the Cybertruck’s telemetry showed no issues prior to the explosion. “All vehicle telemetry was positive at the time,” Musk said in a post on X.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Sheriff Kevin McMahill acknowledged the significance of the event, stating, “Obviously a Cybertruck, the Trump hotel – there are lots of questions that we have to answer.” He added that authorities are taking precautions, given the proximity of the explosion to Las Vegas Boulevard.
The FBI is examining the possibility of a terrorist link. Special agent Jeremy Schwartz confirmed the agency’s involvement, stating that resources are being deployed to determine the cause of the explosion.
The explosion occurred at 8:40 a.m. local time. Two of the injured were hospitalized with minor injuries, and the Trump Hotel was evacuated as a safety measure. Eric Trump, the president-elect’s son and executive vice president of the Trump Organization, acknowledged the incident, confirming the electric vehicle fire in a post on X.
The incident remains under investigation, with authorities cautious about the potential for additional threats.