A Tesla Cybertruck has exploded outside of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. At least one person is dead and at least seven people are injured.
According to The New York Times, the incident occurred about 8:40 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.
More from the Times:
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department received a report of an explosion at about 8:40 a.m. local time at the Trump Hotel. They were told that a 2024 Cybertruck “pulled up to the last entrance doors of the hotel,” Sheriff Kevin McMahill said at a news conference.
“We saw that smoke started showing from the vehicle, and then a large explosion from the truck occurs,” he added.
The person killed was inside the vehicle, he said, adding that at least seven others were reported to have sustained minor injuries. It was not immediately clear what was the cause of the explosion, but the authorities mentioned the attack in New Orleans during the news conference.
Officials said the person who was killed was seated inside the vehicle. It’s unclear if there’s any connection to the overnight terrorist attack in New Orleans.
It’s also unclear if the explosion was an accident due to mechanical failure or an intentional act.
The Trump Organization put out this statement, attributed to Eric Trump:
“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.”
You can see the truck explode in social-media posts.
We’ll update this post once we know more.
UPDATE: According to ABC News, the incident is being investigated as a possible terror attack. Tesla boss Elon Musk has said the explosion wasn’t caused by a mechanical failure, but obviously he has an incentive to say that and his claim has not been independently verified. Musk also claimed the Cybertruck was rented via Turo, as the truck used in the New Orleans attack was, but that has also not yet been independently.
[Image: Tesla]
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Source: The Truth About Cars
