A Tesla Cybertruck burns in front of the Trump International Tower in Las Vegas on 1 January. Photo: CNN
US authorities are investigating a possible link between the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck electric truck near Donald Trump’s hotel in Las Vegas and the deadly attack in New Orleans. Both incidents occurred a few hours apart on New Year’s Eve, Reuters reports .
Details of the incident in Las Vegas
The Cybertruck explosion occurred on Wednesday evening in front of a hotel owned by Donald Trump. One person was killed and seven were injured.
Las Vegas Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill said that the authorities are thoroughly investigating the connection between this explosion and the attack in New Orleans.
“We are looking at any connection to what happened in New Orleans, as well as other similar attacks around the world,” McMahill said.
At the same time, the FBI said that the Cybertruck explosion was an isolated incident and there is no evidence of a threat to the people of Las Vegas.
Investigation
Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are conducting searches in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where the vehicle is believed to have originated. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives(ATF) is also investigating.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk assisted investigators by unlocking the Cybertruck after the explosion and transmitting video footage taken at charging stations along the truck’s route from Colorado to Las Vegas.
Connection to the incident in New Orleans
Earlier in the day, a man drove a truck into a crowd of people celebrating New Year’s Eve in New Orleans, killing 15 people and injuring more than 30. Police are considering the possibility that the vehicles used in both attacks were rented through the Turo platform.
Current status of the investigation
Authorities have not yet confirmed a link between the two incidents. There are no signs of involvement with the ISIS terrorist group in Las Vegas, although this is being investigated.
The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement officials promise to provide new details in the near future.
