A Tesla Cybertruck carrying what appeared to be fireworks exploded in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday morning, killing the driver and injuring seven others. The dramatic incident, which unfolded in the hotel’s valet area, prompted an immediate response from Las Vegas Metropolitan Police and the Clark County Fire Department.
Authorities reported that the explosion occurred at approximately 8:40 a.m. and engulfed the futuristic-looking vehicle in flames. Officials confirmed that the driver, who was inside the Cybertruck at the time, died in the explosion. Efforts to recover the body were ongoing as of Wednesday afternoon. Seven bystanders suffered minor injuries, and several were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
According to preliminary investigations, the Cybertruck was a rental obtained through the Turo car-sharing platform. A law enforcement official, speaking anonymously, stated that the truck appeared to be carrying a load of fireworks, though the possibility of a bomb has not been ruled out. Tesla CEO Elon Musk addressed the incident on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that vehicle telemetry showed no malfunctions and attributing the explosion to the cargo.
“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,” Musk said.
Earlier in the day, Musk described the incident as unprecedented, adding that Tesla’s senior team was actively investigating.
Jeremy Schwartz, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s Las Vegas office, indicated that the investigation is still in its early stages. “We don’t have a lot of answers at this time,” Schwartz said. Law enforcement has not ruled out terrorism as a potential motive, though no specific suspects or groups have been identified.
President Joe Biden was briefed on the explosion, which comes in the wake of another tragic incident—a New Year’s Day truck attack in New Orleans that left 15 dead. The Las Vegas explosion has heightened concerns about public safety as the nation grapples with these back-to-back incidents.
Ana Bruce, a tourist from Brazil staying near the Trump hotel, described the chaotic scene. “The first explosion was where we saw the fire. The second one, I guess, was the battery or something like that. The third was the big one that smoked the entire area and was the moment when everyone was told to evacuate,” Bruce said. Her travel companion, Alcides Antunes, captured video footage showing flames consuming the silver-colored Cybertruck.
Eric Trump, son of President-elect Donald Trump and an executive vice president of the Trump Organization, took to X to commend the swift response of first responders. “Thank you to the fire department and local law enforcement for their professionalism and bravery during this tragic incident,” he wrote.
The Trump International Hotel, a 64-story property located near the Las Vegas Strip, was temporarily evacuated as a precaution. Authorities have since cordoned off the area, and investigations are expected to continue into the coming days.
The explosion has sent shockwaves through the Las Vegas community and raised questions about the safety protocols for vehicle rentals, particularly those involving cutting-edge technologies like Tesla’s Cybertruck. A spokesperson for Turo, the platform through which the truck was rented, has not yet responded to inquiries.
As investigations proceed, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. The FBI and local law enforcement are working together to determine the exact cause of the explosion and any underlying motives behind the incident.
