A Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday morning, resulting in the death of the driver and injuries to seven others. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is examining whether the incident was an act of terrorism.

The explosion occurred just hours after a deadly attack in New Orleans, where a man drove a truck into crowds of New Year’s Day revelers and opened fire, killing 15 people. US President Joe Biden has confirmed that the FBI is investigating possible connections between the two events.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk suggested a link between the Cybertruck explosion and the New Orleans attack, noting that both vehicles were rented from the same car-sharing platform, Turo. "It appears likely to be an act of terrorism. Both the Cybertruck and the F-150 used in the New Orleans attack were rented from the same site. Perhaps there’s a connection," Musk tweeted.

Incident Details

The Cybertruck arrived at the Trump International Hotel at approximately 8:40 a.m. local time and exploded shortly afterward. Witnesses captured videos showing flames engulfing the vehicle. Authorities later discovered firework mortars and fuel canisters in the truck’s bed, which likely caused the blast.

Remarkably, the truck’s structural integrity prevented significant outward damage, directing the explosion upward instead. Musk commented on this, saying, “The attackers picked the wrong vehicle. The Cybertruck contained the blast, and even the hotel’s glass doors remained intact.”

Tesla’s CEO also clarified that the explosion was unrelated to the vehicle’s performance. “The blast was caused by large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the truck bed. All vehicle telemetry was normal before the incident,” he stated.

FBI Investigation and Community Safety

The FBI confirmed they have identified the driver, who rented the vehicle in Colorado, but have not released further details. A senior FBI official emphasized that their primary objectives are identifying the individual responsible and determining whether the explosion was a terrorist act.

Las Vegas Police assured the public that there is no ongoing threat and urged people to avoid the area. "At approximately 8:40 a.m., reports of a vehicle explosion were received. One individual was killed, and seven others sustained injuries. There is no further danger to the community," a police spokesperson said.

Hotel Evacuated

As a precaution, the Trump International Hotel was evacuated, and guests were relocated to nearby accommodations.

This incident follows heightened concerns about public safety after the New Orleans attack, with authorities working to determine if there is any coordinated effort behind the two events. Further investigations are ongoing.