A Tesla Cybertruck caught fire and exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday, resulting in the death of the driver and injuring seven others with minor wounds.
The explosion occurred near the hotel’s glass doors, causing panic as the electric vehicle suddenly burst into flames.
The driver, who was the only person in the truck at the time, tragically lost their life in the blast.
Video footage captured the shocking moment when the stainless steel Tesla Cybertruck, parked at the valet area, suddenly erupted in flames.
Appears likely to be an act of terrorism.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 1, 2025
Both this Cybertruck and the F-150 suicide bomb in New Orleans were rented from Turo. Perhaps they are linked in some way. https://t.co/MM6ehJO3SG
The fire was followed by several smaller explosions, resembling fireworks. The blast severely damaged the truck and triggered alarms across the area.
Musk suggests terror link
Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, quickly responded to the explosion, speculating that it may have been a targeted attack. He drew a connection to a similar incident in New Orleans where a Ford F-150 had been rigged with explosives.
Musk noted that both vehicles were rented through the Turo car-sharing service, suggesting there might be a link between these two events.
Elon Musk clarified in his social media posts that the Tesla Cybertruck was not the cause of the explosion near the Trump International Hotel.
He stated that the vehicle’s telemetry showed everything was functioning normally at the time of the incident, eliminating any mechanical failure as a reason.
Instead, Musk suggested that the explosion might have been caused by fireworks or a bomb placed in the truck’s bed.
🚨 #BREAKING: Las Vegas Police release new video of the exploded Cybertruck outside of the Trump Hotel, showing explosive ordinances in the back
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 2, 2025
Police credited the lack of damage to the Trump Hotel to the strength of the Cybertruck, as it remained mostly intact.
“The explosion… pic.twitter.com/lajQZX2pOI
The incident has sparked debates about safety and the broader implications for high-profile locations like the Trump Hotel.
Tesla fans have rallied behind Musk’s assertion that the Cybertruck was not the cause of the explosion, but the event has raised questions about the risks associated with using shared vehicles for malicious purposes.
As the investigation continues, the bizarre and unsettling nature of this explosion has left many wondering about the motives behind it and whether it signals a troubling new trend.
For now, authorities are keeping tight-lipped, promising updates as they unfold.