Updated Story: Explosion Outside Trump Hotel Kills One \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A Tesla Cybertruck carrying fireworks exploded outside President-elect Donald Trump’s Las Vegas hotel, killing one person and injuring seven. Authorities are investigating the incident, with terrorism not ruled out. Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated the explosion was unrelated to the vehicle’s design and linked to fireworks or a potential bomb.
Cybertruck Explosion Outside Trump Hotel: Quick Looks
- Incident Details: A Cybertruck exploded outside Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday, killing one and injuring seven.
- Vehicle and Cause: Authorities say the truck was rented through the Turo app and carried fireworks.
- Tesla’s Statement: Elon Musk confirmed the explosion was unrelated to the vehicle and likely caused by fireworks or a bomb.
- Investigations Ongoing: Terrorism remains a possible motive, and federal authorities are involved in the probe.
- Witness Account: A Brazilian tourist described hearing three explosions before the area was evacuated.
Deep Look: Fireworks-Loaded Tesla Cybertruck Explodes at Trump Hotel
A Tesla Cybertruck carrying fireworks exploded in the valet area of the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas early Wednesday, killing one person and injuring seven others. The powerful blast, which occurred at 8:40 a.m., left the vehicle engulfed in flames and scattered debris, prompting an evacuation of the area. The incident has drawn national attention, with authorities investigating potential links to terrorism and other possible motives.
Details of the Incident
The explosion occurred just outside the 64-story Trump International Hotel, a luxury property located near the Las Vegas Strip. According to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police and Clark County Fire Department officials, the Tesla Cybertruck was parked in the valet area when the fire began. Moments later, it exploded, sending thick smoke and flames into the surrounding area.
A law enforcement official revealed that the truck had been rented through Turo, a peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing app. The official, speaking anonymously, stated that the Cybertruck appeared to be carrying a significant quantity of fireworks in its bed.
Emergency responders quickly extinguished the flames and began efforts to recover the body of the person inside the truck. Seven bystanders sustained minor injuries, with several taken to local hospitals for treatment.
Elon Musk Responds
Tesla CEO Elon Musk addressed the explosion in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), clarifying that initial investigations ruled out any fault with the Cybertruck itself.
“We have now confirmed that the explosion was caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck and is unrelated to the vehicle itself,” Musk wrote. “All vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion.”
Musk described the incident as unprecedented, noting that Tesla’s senior team was actively investigating the matter. “We’ve never seen anything like this,” he said, posting shortly after attending a New Year’s Eve party at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.
Eyewitness Accounts
Ana Bruce, a tourist from Brazil staying near the Trump International Hotel, described the terrifying moments leading up to the explosion.
“The first explosion started the fire,” Bruce said. “The second, I think, came from the truck’s battery, and the third was the biggest—it smoked the entire area.”
Bruce and her travel companion, Alcides Antunes, captured video footage of the burning vehicle as fire crews worked to secure the scene. “People were running, and they evacuated us quickly,” Antunes said.
Federal Investigation Underway
Federal authorities, including the FBI, are now leading the investigation into the explosion. While no definitive motive has been identified, officials have not ruled out terrorism.
Jeremy Schwartz, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s Las Vegas office, spoke briefly at a news conference. “We know you have questions, and we don’t have all the answers yet,” Schwartz said, emphasizing the complexity of the investigation.
President Joe Biden was briefed on the explosion and its possible connections to an earlier New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, where a driver rammed a pickup truck into a crowd, killing 15 people. That incident, currently being investigated as a terrorist act, has heightened concerns about coordinated attacks.
Connections to Fireworks and Turo Rentals
Investigators are focusing on the fireworks found in the truck’s bed, which are believed to have caused the initial fire and subsequent explosion. A spokesperson for Turo, the app used to rent the Cybertruck, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
This incident has raised questions about how hazardous materials like fireworks ended up in a rented vehicle and whether existing regulations for peer-to-peer vehicle rentals are sufficient to prevent such risks.
Implications of the Explosion
The Tesla Cybertruck explosion underscores the vulnerabilities associated with unconventional methods of attack. While traditional terrorism tactics often rely on guns or explosives, the use of fireworks and a high-profile vehicle highlights how accessible materials can be weaponized.
SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist communications, reported that supporters of the Islamic State celebrated the explosion in online chatrooms, though no group has claimed responsibility.
One message reportedly read: “If it’s a brother, he’s a legend. Allahu Akbar.”
Eric Trump Praises First Responders
Eric Trump, son of President-elect Donald Trump and an executive at the Trump Organization, posted about the incident on X, thanking local law enforcement and fire crews for their swift response. “The professionalism of these teams is unparalleled,” he wrote, adding that his family was deeply saddened by the loss of life.
Las Vegas: A City on Edge
The explosion at the Trump International Hotel comes at a time of heightened concern about public safety in Las Vegas, a city known for its large crowds and high-profile events. The incident occurred in the shadow of the 2017 mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, which remains the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
While officials are urging calm, the explosion has sparked renewed discussions about security protocols and the role of rental platforms like Turo in monitoring potentially dangerous activities.
What’s Next?
As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to focus on several key questions:
- The Truck’s Contents: How did fireworks or other hazardous materials end up in the rented Cybertruck?
- The Renter’s Background: Who rented the vehicle, and were there signs of extremist ties or intent?
- Security Implications: Are regulations for rental services like Turo sufficient to prevent similar incidents?
For now, the FBI and local authorities are urging patience as they work to piece together the events leading up to the explosion. As Las Vegas residents and visitors process the tragedy, officials are emphasizing vigilance and caution in crowded areas.
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