A tragic incident unfolded Wednesday morning outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas when a Tesla Cybertruck caught fire and exploded, leaving one person dead and seven others injured, according to authorities.
The explosion occurred at approximately 8:40 a.m. in the hotel’s valet area, prompting an immediate response from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police and the Clark County Fire Department. Officials confirmed that the victim was inside the vehicle, and efforts were underway to recover the body. Seven bystanders suffered minor injuries, with some requiring hospitalization.
Preliminary investigations suggest the Cybertruck, rented through the car-sharing platform Turo, was carrying a load of fireworks. Law enforcement sources, speaking anonymously, noted the possibility of an explosive device contributing to the incident.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk addressed the situation on social media, stating that the explosion was caused by “very large fireworks and/or a bomb” and was not related to the vehicle’s design or functionality. Musk assured the public that Tesla’s team was actively investigating the matter, emphasizing that all telemetry data from the Cybertruck appeared normal prior to the blast.
The FBI’s Las Vegas office, led by acting special agent Jeremy Schwartz, has not ruled out terrorism as a potential motive. However, Schwartz admitted that concrete answers remain elusive at this stage of the investigation.
Witnesses described the chaotic scene, with one tourist from Brazil recounting multiple explosions, including a final blast that engulfed the area in smoke and led to an evacuation. Video footage captured flames consuming the futuristic truck before the dramatic explosion.
Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization and son of President-elect Donald Trump, praised the rapid response of first responders in a social media post, expressing gratitude for their professionalism.
The explosion came on the heels of another tragic event earlier in the day in New Orleans, where a truck attack claimed the lives of at least ten people. The connection, if any, between the two incidents remains unclear.
Located just off the Las Vegas Strip, the Trump International Hotel is a prominent 64-story structure known for its proximity to major attractions like the Fashion Show Las Vegas mall. The explosion has raised concerns about public safety in the area as the investigation continues.
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