Police probing cybertruck explosion at Trump Las Vegas hotel

Police are investigating after a Tesla Cybertruck filled with fuel canisters and firework mortars exploded outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The driver was killed and seven people were injured, police said without naming any of the individuals involved. Officials said all injuries were minor.

The truck was rented in Colorado and arrived in the city Wednesday morning, less than two hours before the detonation, police said. Parked in front of the hotel near a glass entrance, the vehicle started to smoke, then exploded.

President Joe Biden said the White House was tracking the incident and law enforcement was investigating "whether there's any possible connection with the attack in New Orleans," which left 15 dead on New Year's Eve.

In an afternoon press conference, Sheriff Kevin McMahill showed dramatic footage of the explosion and photos of the aftermath, including several fuel canisters along with large fireworks in the truck bed.

The fire occurred around 0840 PT (1540 GMT), just hours after a man drove a truck with an ISIS flag into a crowd in New Orleans, Louisiana, on New Year's Day. At least 15 people died; dozens were injured.

Mr McMahill of the Las Vegas Police Department said authorities are examining whether the incident could be connected to the one in New Orleans, where improvised explosive devices were found near the scene.

He said they were also investigating whether it may be linked to the President-Elect Donald Trump, who owns the hotel, or Elon Musk, who owns Telsa.

"Obviously, a Cybertruck, the Trump Hotel, there's lots of questions that we have to answer as we move forward," he said.

The FBI also said the agency is looking into whether the incident might be an act of terror, but authorities said they currently have not confirmed the identity of the driver, who died in the vehicle. Authorities also said thus far, they've found no evidence that this incident was related to ISIS.

The sheriff noted that both vehicles appeared to be rented from Turo, an app-based car rental company.

"As you can imagine, with an explosion here on an iconic Las Vegas Boulevard, we are taking all of the precautions that we need to take to keep our community safe," he said during a news conference.

Mr McMahill said there was no longer a threat to the Las Vegas community.

Biden was briefed on the both the attack in New Orleans and the Las Vegas explosion.

"We're tracking the explosion of a Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas," said the president in an evening address.

"Law enforcement and the intelligence community are investigating this as well, including whether there's any possible connection with the attack in New Orleans."

Fire department officials said emergency responders quickly worked to extinguish the vehicle fire.

They added that the public should stay away from the area. The hotel was evacuated, with most of the guests moving to a different location.

It is owned in part by President-elect Donald Trump's company. In a post on X, Trump's son, Eric Trump, said 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 swift response and professionalism," he said.

Stephen Ferlando told the Washington Post that he witnessed the incident from his hotel room on the 53rd floor of the Trump Tower. He told the outlet there was "definitely an explosion" and that the windows began to shake.

The Trump Hotel spans 64 floors with around 1,300 suites, according to its website.

Trump recently named Musk to co-lead a presidential advisory commission, the Department of Government Efficiency, after the two became close during Trump's campaign.