While initial reports regarding the explosion of a Tesla cybertruck in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, Wednesday morning left open the possibility that the incident was a malfunction with the vehicle itself, it appears we can now rule that out.
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Not only have officials confirmed they’re investigating the incident as a possible act of terror, but Elon Musk has confirmed his team’s diagnostics indicate all systems on the truck checked out prior to the explosion, and it appears the explosion was caused by fireworks and/or a bomb.
New Video and Details Emerge Regarding Cybertruck Explosion at Trump Hotel in Las Vegas
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. https://t.co/HRjb87YbaJ
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 1, 2025
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.
Moreover, reports indicate there were, in fact, explosives contained in the truck.
The explosives contained in the truck were described as fireworks, gas tanks and camping fuel, which authorities believe were connected to a detonation system controlled by the driver, according to the official.
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Additionally, law enforcement officials have now indicated the cybertruck was rented via the Turo app.
According to a law enforcement official, the truck was rented via the Turo app and appeared to have a load of fireworks. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
A Turo spokesperson did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
The Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck used in the Bourbon Street attack earlier Wednesday also was rented through the Turo app. Whether that indicates a connection between the two incidents remains under investigation.
