Explosion at Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, Driver Dead and Seven Injured
A Tesla exploded in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, forcing the evacuation of the 64-story luxury high-rise building. The driver of the electric vehicle was killed, and at least seven people nearby suffered minor injuries, according to authorities.
Witnesses reported hearing a “massive explosion” possibly multiple, which triggered a fire alarm in the entire high-rise building on the Fashion Show Drive. Local media initially reported a vehicle fire in the early morning near the Fashion Show Mall and the Trump property, with rescue teams quickly cordoning off the area.
A video circulating on social media appears to show the burning vehicle, a Tesla Cybertruck, parked in front of the hotel lobby entrance. The vehicle is largely engulfed in flames, with thick gray smoke rising.
A security camera outside the hotel captured the moment of the explosion, as seen in another video making the rounds online. The explosion ripped open the cargo bed of the vehicle, setting the car on fire, with several smaller, firework-like explosions following the initial blast, according to the footage.
The incident is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism, authorities said. The Cybertruck was found to have a load of “firework-like mortars” on board, according to a report by ABV, citing an anonymous official briefed on the investigation. Investigators are currently trying to determine if the deceased driver had the intention of detonating the explosives.
The Trump International Hotel, partially owned by the soon-to-be US President Donald Trump, has drawn attention due to its connection to the Trump brand.
Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, a close ally of Trump, has been building a relationship with the President-elect since the failed assassination attempt in July. Musk has since become one of Trump’s key advisors on political and personnel decisions.
Musk took to Twitter to comment on the incident, stating, “The entire Tesla senior team is investigating this now. We will publish more info as we learn it. Never seen anything like this.”
FBI Agent Jeremy Schwartz echoed Musk’s sentiments during a press conference, saying, “I know you have a lot of questions. We don’t have a lot of answers.”
Later, Musk tweeted, “We can now confirm that the explosion was caused by a very large firework and/or a bomb on the cargo bed of the rented Cybertruck, and has nothing to do with the vehicle itself. All vehicle telemetry devices were positive at the time of the explosion.