On New Year's Day, a Tesla Cybertruck parked outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, exploded, resulting in one death and seven injuries, AP News reported on the 1st (local time).
A Clark County spokesperson stated that a fire broke out at 8:40 a.m. in the valet parking area of the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas.
The scene of a Tesla Cybertruck explosion parked outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Photo by Xinhua Yonhap News
Officials from the Las Vegas Police Department and Clark County Fire Department confirmed that one occupant of the Cybertruck died, and seven people near the vehicle were injured and transported to the hospital. Hotel guests evacuated due to the explosion.
Videos taken by witnesses inside and outside the hotel show the vehicle exploding and flames rising. A witness testified that they heard the explosion three times.
AP News, citing an anonymous source, reported that the truck was rented through Turo, a peer-to-peer vehicle rental application, and appeared to be carrying fireworks.
Authorities are investigating without ruling out the possibility of terrorism. They are also examining potential connections to a vehicle attack in New Orleans earlier that day, which resulted in 10 deaths.
Kevin McMahill, sheriff of the Las Vegas Police Department, said, "We are well aware of the incident that occurred in New Orleans," adding, "Because the explosion happened on the iconic Las Vegas Strip, we are taking all necessary precautions to keep the community safe."
The Cybertruck is a flagship model of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a close associate of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and the future head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the new administration.
CEO Musk stated on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), "This explosion was caused by large fireworks or a bomb carried in the rented Cybertruck," confirming that "the vehicle itself was not at fault." He added, "It is highly likely to be an act of terrorism," and "Both this Cybertruck and the New Orleans incident involved vehicles rented from Turo. They are probably connected in some way."
Eric Trump, the second son of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and vice president of the Trump Organization, mentioned the incident on X, stating, "The safety and well-being of our customers and employees is our top priority."
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