A devastating explosion occurred on Wednesday morning outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas when a Tesla Cybertruck burst into flames, killing the driver and injuring seven others. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an investigation into whether the explosion was an act of terrorism, though no official conclusions have been drawn.
This tragic incident unfolded just hours after a separate attack in New Orleans, where a truck was driven into crowds of New Year's Day revelers, and gunfire was exchanged, resulting in the deaths of 15 people. That attack is also under investigation as a possible terrorist act. In response to the two incidents, US President Joe Biden confirmed that the FBI is exploring any potential connection between them.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in a series of tweets, suggested a link between the two attacks, noting that both the Cybertruck involved in the Las Vegas explosion and an F-150 truck used in the New Orleans attack were rented from the same car rental service, Turo. "Appears likely to be an act of terrorism. Both this Cybertruck and the F-150 suicide bomb in New Orleans were rented from Turo. Perhaps they are linked in some way," Musk tweeted.
The explosion occurred around 8:40 am local time when the Cybertruck arrived at the Trump Hotel. The vehicle exploded almost immediately, sending flames soaring into the sky. Videos from witnesses inside and outside the hotel show the intensity of the explosion and the resulting flames. Authorities later discovered firework mortars and camp fuel canisters packed in the back of the vehicle, which contributed to the violent blast.
Musk commented on the nature of the explosion, suggesting that the blast's direction may have minimized the damage to surrounding structures. "The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack. Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards. Not even the glass doors of the lobby were broken," Musk tweeted. He later added that the explosion was caused by large fireworks or a bomb placed in the truck bed, not by any malfunction of the Cybertruck itself. "All vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion," Musk confirmed.
The FBI is currently focusing on identifying the person responsible for renting the vehicle and is working to determine if the incident is indeed linked to terrorism. While the identity of the driver has been confirmed, it has not been publicly disclosed. A senior FBI official stated that their primary goal is to ensure proper identification of the individual involved before determining the nature of the attack.
Las Vegas Police confirmed that there was no further threat to the community following the explosion and urged the public to avoid the area. The Trump Hotel was evacuated after the blast, and most visitors were relocated to other accommodations.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the explosion, with both local and federal agencies working to piece together what led to the catastrophic event outside the iconic hotel. The incident has raised further concerns about vehicle-based attacks and terrorism, prompting an increased focus on identifying potential links between such events.
