Tesla Cybertruck with fuel and fireworks explodes near Donald Trump's Las Vegas hotel, 1 killed
Las Vegas/IBNS: A Tesla Cybertruck with fuel canisters and fireworks mortars exploded outside the Trump Hotel in the Las Vegas city of the United States, media reports said.
The driver was killed and seven people were injured. The injuries were minor, police said.
The fire was doused quickly and the hotel, which is owned by US president-elect Donald Trump, was evacuated.
US president-elect Donald Trump's son Eric Trump posted on X, " Earlier today, a reported electric vehicle fire occurred in the porte cochère of Trump Las Vegas. The safety and well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority.
"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Las Vegas Fire Department and local law enforcement for their swift response and professionalism."
Earlier today, a reported electric vehicle fire occurred in the porte cochère of Trump Las Vegas. The safety and well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Las Vegas Fire Department and local law enforcement for their…
— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) January 1, 2025
Police have initiated a probe into the blast, which took place just hours after a truck driver carrying ISIS flag rammed into a crowd celebrating New Year in New Orleans and killed 15 people.
Footage shows the truck, which was parked outside the glass door of the hotel, started to give out smoke before bursting.
Police said they were investigating whether the Las Vegas explosion has any connection with the New Orleans attack.
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 2, 2025
A Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas, killing the driver and injuring seven others. The FBI is investigating the incident https://t.co/UXjl8vg0zt pic.twitter.com/qf9MX11pi7
"Obviously, a Cybertruck, the Trump Hotel, there's lots of questions that we have to answer as we move forward," said sheriff Kevin McMahill of Las Vegas Police Department as quoted by BBC News.
The sheriff noted that both the vehicles involved in the explosion and attack were hired from car rental company Turo.
FBI special agent in charge Jeremy Schwartz told reporters, "I know everybody's interested in that word, and trying to see if we can say, 'Hey, this is a terrorist attack.' That is our goal, and that's what we're trying to do."
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