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Authorities in the U.S. are probing whether an explosion outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas is connected to the tragic car-ramming attack in New Orleans, which left 15 dead and 35 injured.
In Las Vegas, a Tesla Cybertruck loaded with fuel canisters and fireworks exploded outside the hotel, killing the driver and injuring seven others, all with minor injuries. The incident occurred at approximately 8:40 a.m. PT (15:40 GMT), just hours after the New Orleans attack.
The New Orleans rampage involved a 42-year-old U.S. citizen driving a pickup truck into a crowd on a busy street. The suspect, who carried an Islamic State (IS) flag, was shot dead by police. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were discovered near the scene, intensifying investigations.
Las Vegas Explosion Details
The Cybertruck explosion, which occurred in front of the Trump Hotel, caused bursts of multicolored fireworks to erupt in multiple directions. Footage released by Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Police Department showed the truck smoking before the dramatic blast. Afterward, the charred remains of the truck revealed fuel canisters and fireworks mortars.
The FBI is investigating the explosion as a potential terrorist act. However, authorities have not confirmed whether the driver had ties to IS or other groups. FBI Special Agent Jeremy Schwartz stated that the agency is working to determine if terrorism was involved, though no direct links to IS have been found so far.
The Tesla Cybertruck was reportedly rented through Turo, an app-based car-sharing platform. Turo’s spokesperson confirmed that both the Las Vegas and New Orleans vehicles were rented via the service and that the renters had no prior criminal records.
Authorities Explore Potential Links
Sheriff McMahill noted several factors under investigation, including whether the explosion was related to the Trump Hotel or Elon Musk, as the Cybertruck is a Tesla vehicle. “With a Cybertruck and the Trump Hotel involved, there are many questions we need to answer,” he said.
Both the Las Vegas explosion and the New Orleans attack involved rented vehicles, raising questions about potential coordination. Investigators are also examining whether the explosion targeted the Trump Hotel specifically, given President-elect Donald Trump’s partial ownership of the property.
President Joe Biden confirmed that intelligence and law enforcement agencies are actively investigating possible connections between the two incidents. “We’re tracking both the New Orleans attack and the Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas,” he said in an address.
Eyewitness Accounts and Safety Measures
Stephen Ferlando, a guest at Trump Hotel, described witnessing the explosion from his 53rd-floor room, noting that the blast shook the windows. Emergency responders swiftly extinguished the fire, and the hotel was evacuated as a precaution.
Eric Trump, the president-elect’s son, issued a statement on social media thanking first responders for their swift action. “The safety and well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority,” he said.
Context and Aftermath
The Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, a 64-story property with approximately 1,300 suites, remains a focal point of the investigation. Authorities have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the Las Vegas community.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans attack continues to be investigated as a mass casualty event with ties to IS. As authorities examine the possibility of a connection between the two incidents, public vigilance remains high.
