Las Vegas: A Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas early Thursday morning has raised terrorism concerns. The blast resulted in one death and seven injuries, with minor injuries reported among the wounded. The incident prompted the evacuation of the hotel as a precaution.
Details of the Explosion
Investigators confirmed the explosion originated from materials stored in the truck’s bed, including fireworks, gas tanks, and camping fuel. These materials were connected to a detonation system believed to have been controlled by the driver. The Tesla Cybertruck, a 2024 model rented via the car-sharing platform Turo, erupted into flames outside the hotel’s main entrance.
Elon Musk’s Response
Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed the Cybertruck’s design helped minimize the explosion’s impact.
“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 wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Investigation Details
Jeremy Schwartz, the FBI’s special agent in charge in Las Vegas, confirmed the Joint Terrorism Task Force is leading the investigation. The incident’s timing has also sparked concerns about a connection to a recent attack in New Orleans, where a pickup truck drove into a crowd of New Year’s revellers, killing 15 and injuring dozens.
Link to New Orleans Attack
Authorities are examining a potential link between the Las Vegas explosion and the New Orleans attack. In the earlier incident, 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a former military IT specialist and US citizen, drove a pickup truck into a crowd. Jabbar was reportedly inspired by the Islamic State group.
Common Element: Turo Rentals
Both vehicles involved in the Las Vegas and New Orleans incidents were rented through Turo, a car-sharing service. A spokesperson for Turo stated the company is cooperating fully with law enforcement and noted that neither renter had a criminal history that would have flagged them as security threats.
Next Steps
Authorities are continuing their investigation into both incidents to determine if there are coordinated efforts behind the attacks. Meanwhile, the FBI and other agencies are working closely to understand the motives and connections between the events.
