Tesla, TSLA, Cybertruck explosion at the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas

Authorities are investigating an explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck on Wednesday outside the Trump Las Vegas hotel, treating the incident as a possible act of terrorism.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reported that the explosion occurred in the valet area at the entrance of the hotel. While the fire has been extinguished, police urged the public to avoid the area as the investigation continues.

According to officials, the driver of the Cybertruck pulled into the valet area before the vehicle exploded. The driver, who is believed to have been inside the vehicle at the time, is dead and is the only confirmed fatality. Seven bystanders sustained minor injuries in the blast.

Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the explosion. Early reports suggest the vehicle was carrying fireworks-style mortars in its bed, though it remains unclear if the explosion was accidental or intentional. Establishing the motive behind the incident is a priority for authorities.

A law enforcement official briefed on the case told ABC News that the explosion was not caused by the vehicle's lithium battery, a common concern with electric cars. Speculation about a potential battery malfunction has been ruled out based on Tesla’s telemetry data, which indicated no abnormalities with the vehicle at the time of the blast.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is an ally of President-elect Donald Trump, addressed the incident on social media. "The Tesla senior team is fully investigating this matter," Musk wrote on X. Later, Musk clarified, "We have confirmed the explosion was caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb in the Cybertruck's bed. This is unrelated to the vehicle itself."

The Trump Las Vegas property, which is associated with heightened security risks due to its ties to the President-elect, has faced frequent threats in the past. Sheriff Kevin McMahill reassured the public, stating, "We believe everything is safe now," though he urged caution, adding, "We don't know what we don't know."

The investigation is ongoing, and police are treating the explosion as a potential criminal act until they can determine the exact circumstances. Evidence collection and analysis continue as investigators seek to uncover the full details behind the incident.