FBI investigating, after Tesla Cybertruck, with fireworks and fuel inside, explodes outside Trump International Hotel Las Vegas
Firework mortars and gas canisters were found in the back of the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside President-elect Donald Trump’s Las Vegas hotel.
The incident is being investigated as a possible terrorist act, according to a law enforcement official.
In a news conference, Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McCahill said a vehicle fire was reported at the hotel just after 8.40am local time on Wednesday and crews arrived to find a 2024 Cybertruck engulfed in flames.
Officials said a person died inside the vehicle. Another seven people nearby received minor injuries and were taken to a hospital for treatment, McCahill confirmed.
Jeremy Schwartz, acting special agent in charge of the FBI in Las Vegas, also confirmed during the news conference that his team is involved in the investigation.
Video from the scene showed a pile of charred fireworks mortars, cannisters and other explosive devices crowded into the back of the pickup.
In a post on X, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said: “We have now confirmed that the explosion was caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck and is unrelated to the vehicle itself. All vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion.”
McMahill said his team were “well aware” of the New Year’s Eve truck attack in New Orleans that killed at least 10 people and injured dozens of others.
As a result, the sheriff said they are checking for “secondary devices” to ensure the safety of the community.
“There does not appear to be any further threat to our community here now,” McMahill said.
Eric Trump, a son of the president-elect and executive vice president of the Trump Organisation, posted about the fire on the social media platform X.
He praised the fire department and local law enforcement “for their swift response and professionalism.”
The 64-story hotel is just off the famed Las Vegas Strip and across the street from the Fashion Show Las Vegas shopping mall.
ITV News has approached Tesla for a comment.
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