A shocking explosion occurred outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday morning, involving a rented Tesla Cybertruck. The blast, which left one person dead and several others injured, is now under investigation by the FBI, with authorities exploring the possibility of a terrorist act. Law enforcement officials believe the explosion was caused by fireworks and gas tanks inside the vehicle.

Authorities suspect that fireworks, gas tanks, and camping fuel were linked to a detonation system controlled by the driver of a Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday morning, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation.

The FBI is investigating the incident as potentially connected to terrorism, though Jeremy Schwartz, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s Las Vegas office, emphasized that they believe it was an isolated incident with no further threat to the public.

The fire was reported around 8:40 a.m., and when responders arrived, they found the 2024 Cybertruck fully engulfed in flames, said Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill at a press conference. The body of one individual was found inside the vehicle, which remains at the scene as authorities continue to investigate. Seven other people were injured in the explosion, all of whom are in stable condition, according to Deputy Fire Chief Billy Samuels.

The vehicle, rented in Colorado, had arrived in Las Vegas at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday. About an hour later, after driving up and down Las Vegas Boulevard, the truck stopped in front of the Trump Hotel and exploded. Surveillance footage shows the driver passing the hotel earlier in the hour and then returning to the hotel, where the explosion occurred seconds later.

Video from the scene shows the truck engulfed in smoke as firefighters doused it with water, and police shared images of charred gasoline canisters and firework mortars found in the truck bed. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the person who rented the vehicle, though they are working to positively identify the individual.

Sheriff McMahill noted that the design of the Cybertruck limited the damage, as most of the blast was directed upward, sparing the hotel’s glass front doors from breaking. "I have to thank Elon Musk specifically," he added, stating that Tesla provided valuable assistance, including sending video footage from their charging stations to help track the vehicle.

The vehicle was rented through Turo, the car-sharing company, and law enforcement officials have acknowledged the coincidence that it was the same platform used for the truck involved in the recent New Orleans attack. Turo has expressed its commitment to working with authorities and emphasized that the renters involved in both incidents did not have criminal backgrounds.

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo assured the public that his office is coordinating with law enforcement to provide necessary resources. Elon Musk also responded to the incident, confirming that the explosion was caused by large fireworks or a bomb in the truck's bed, and not due to any malfunction of the vehicle itself. He also praised the Cybertruck’s design for containing the blast.

Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, expressed gratitude for the swift response of the Las Vegas Fire Department and local law enforcement, reiterating that the safety of guests and staff remains a priority.

Galit Ventura Rozen, a guest at a nearby hotel, described witnessing a large cloud of smoke rising from the Trump Hotel area. She filmed the scene, which showed ambulances and police cars responding to the explosion.

Sheriff McMahill stated that the investigation is ongoing, with additional safety measures being taken in light of the New Orleans attack. Authorities are looking for any secondary devices to ensure public safety, but he assured that there is no ongoing threat to the community. "We have many questions to answer as we move forward," McMahill concluded.