Tesla cybertruck exploded outside Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on January 1, 2025 (Screengrab) | X
Washington DC: At least one person was reportedly killed after a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel which is located in Las Vegas on Wednesday. The hotel belonged to US President-elect Donald Trump. Seven others were also reportedly wounded in the incident. The incident was caught on camera and a shocking video surfaced online in which it could be seen that a Tesla Cybertruck exploded at the entrance of the Trump International Hotel.
The incident occurred days ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration. After receiving the information, authorities reached the spot and strated investigation into the matter. The elefctric vehicle rushed to the Trump International Hotel’s glass entrance before a “large explosion,” Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill told reporters as reported by AFP.
In the video, it could be seen that a Cybertruck which was stationed outside the luxury hotel turns into a ball of fire and in seconds the truck was engulfed in massive blaze. The reason behind the explosion is not known yet.
Earlier in the day, at least 15 people lost their lives and 30 individuals suffered injuries after a speeding car rammed into the crowd during New Year 2025 celebrations on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. According to reports, the person driving the car first rammed into the people present at the spot and then exited the vehicle and started firing bullets at them.
Links With New Orleans Attack? What Biden Said
United States President Joe Biden said on Wednesday (local time) that law enforcement is investigating any possible connection between the New Orleans ‘terror’ attack and the Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas.
The vehicles used in both incidents were rented from a car rental site, ‘Turo’, prompting authorities to look for links between the two events, reported ANI.
“We’re tracking the explosion of a Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. Law enforcement and the intelligence community are investigating this as well, including whether there’s any possible connection with the attack in New Orleans,” Joe Biden said.
Biden assured that every resource was being utilized to ensure there was no threat to the American people.
“I directed my team to make sure every resource is made available to federal, state and local law enforcement to complete the investigation in New Orleans quickly and to make sure there is no remaining threat to the American people,” he said.
Elon Musk’s Reaction:
Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk alleged a connection between the explosion of a Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas and a similar attack in New Orleans, as both vehicles were rented from the same car rental site, 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 wrote on X.
(With inputs from agencies)
