The authorities in Las Vegas are investigating the causes of the explosion and the fire of a Tesla Cybertruck that occurred on the morning of Wednesday, January 1. The events took place on New Year’s Day at the main entrance of the Trump International Hotel.
The incident left one person dead and seven others with minor injuries, prompting an intense mobilization of local police and the FBI. Below is a detailed account of the facts and the official statements.
Why is the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck being investigated as a possible attack?
According to a police official, the explosion is being treated as a possible terrorist act. The Las Vegas Sheriff, Kevin McMahill, explained that the blast occurred around 8:40 a.m., when the 2024 Cybertruck parked near the hotel’s entrance doors. Shortly after the 911 alert was issued, members of the city’s Fire Department arrived at the scene.
“There is one person deceased inside the Cybertruck and I don’t know if it’s a man or a woman at this time,” McMahill stated, adding that seven other people suffered “minor” injuries. The official also indicated that additional precautions are being taken, referring to a recent attack in New Orleans in which a truck plowed through a crowd.
“We are very well aware of what happened in New Orleans,” he emphasized, “and with an incident like this in such an iconic place in Las Vegas, we are taking all the necessary measures to keep the community safe.”
What are the FBI and Tesla saying about the investigation?
Jeremy Schwartz, the interim special agent in charge of the FBI in Las Vegas, confirmed that his team is involved in the investigation to determine whether there were additional devices or if there was any terrorist intent. So far, no further threat to the public has been reported.
Meanwhile, Tesla was contacted by CNN for comments about the incident. Elon Musk, the company’s chief executive, posted a brief message on the X platform, stating that “the Tesla senior team is investigating this matter right now” and acknowledging that “we’ve never seen anything like this.”
This is how the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck at the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas looked.pic.twitter.com/CCt1kYFPMO
— Joaquín López-Dóriga (@lopezdoriga) January 1, 2025
For his part, Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, posted on X that “the safety and well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority” and added: “We extend our most sincere gratitude to the Las Vegas Fire Department and local law enforcement for their swift response and professionalism.”
In response to the emergency, hotel staff evacuated guests from the affected or nearby lobby areas, and several witnesses captured on video the moment of the explosion and the fire consuming the vehicle.
Earlier today, a reported electric vehicle fire occurred in the porte cochère of Trump Las Vegas. The safety and well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Las Vegas Fire Department and local law enforcement for their…
— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) January 1, 2025
What is known about the Tesla Cybertruck involved?
The vehicle that caught fire is a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck, an electric pickup truck with a futuristic design that has become very popular in the United States since late 2023. It is estimated that Tesla sold around 17,000 units of this model between June and October 2024.
Elon Musk’s company has previously faced cases of fires in its vehicles due to various factors, such as battery failures or issues at charging stations. Since 2013, at least 232 such incidents have been documented, resulting in 83 fatalities. Nevertheless, each case is usually investigated independently to determine its exact causes.
What will happen with the investigation and security in Las Vegas?
Law enforcement has asked the public to avoid the area around the Trump International Hotel while the investigation continues. The pickup was covered with a black tarp and remains under police guard until investigators finish gathering evidence. The identity of the Tesla Cybertruck’s owner has not been disclosed.
The Las Vegas Police Department maintains heightened surveillance at strategic points along the Strip, and the investigation is progressing with the FBI’s cooperation. According to McMahill, the priority is “to determine whether it was a premeditated attack or an isolated incident.”
How is the incident linked to Donald Trump and Elon Musk?
The event occurs in an interesting political context: Donald Trump, president-elect, and Elon Musk, owner of Tesla and a close adviser to the Republican, have appeared together at recent events. Both celebrated the New Year at the Mar-a-Lago mansion in Florida, which has drawn media attention to the relationship between Musk and Trump’s upcoming administration.
So far, there are no clear indications that the attack is directly linked to political motives. However, the investigation remains open, and authorities are expected to provide more details in the coming days.
On January 20, Donald Trump, who survived an assassination attempt during the campaign, will be sworn in as President of the United States.
How many suites does the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas have?
The hotel, with nearly 1,300 suites spread over 64 floors, partially resumed operations after the fire was contained. Nevertheless, some guests remain out of their rooms while security personnel and experts carry out the necessary inspections.
Various videos on social media show tourists’ confusion as they were evacuated. Despite the magnitude of the incident, authorities report that the injured are not in life-threatening condition and are receiving appropriate medical care.
