According to Cointelegraph, an explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas is under investigation as a potential act of terrorism. The incident occurred on January 1, shortly after New Year celebrations concluded in the city. Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that the explosion was caused by fireworks or a bomb placed in the bed of the rented Cybertruck, and not related to the vehicle itself. Musk confirmed via social media that Tesla is conducting its own investigation, noting that all vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion.
Local authorities have reported that the Cybertruck was loaded with fireworks-style mortars, but it remains unclear if they were intentionally detonated. The explosion resulted in the death of the driver, whose identity has not been disclosed, and injured seven others. The vehicle had been parked in the valet area of the hotel when the explosion occurred. Las Vegas Metropolitan Sheriff Kevin McMahill described the incident, stating that the truck pulled up to the hotel's entrance before smoke and a large explosion were observed.
This event coincides with another attack in New Orleans, where a suspect driving a Ford pickup truck, reportedly displaying an ISIS flag, rammed into a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing at least 15 people. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is treating both incidents as potential acts of terrorism. However, officials have not found any evidence linking the two attacks. Both vehicles involved in the incidents were rented through Turo's rental car service, according to investigators. The situation remains under investigation as authorities seek to determine the motives and connections behind these violent acts.