Tesla Cybertruck explodes outside Trump hotel in Las Vegas, killing one and injuring seven

UNITED STATES – A Tesla pickup in flames at the foot of the “Trump” logo of a Las Vegas hotel. The image is striking and intrigues investigators, who are wondering about possible links with the car-ramming attack which caused the death of at least 15 people in New Orleans on the night of December 31. January 1.

A Tesla Cybertruck, Elon Musk's vehicle brand, exploded this Wednesday, New Year's Day, in front of a tower. Vice Cityin Nevada. “ There is a deceased person inside “, confirmed Kevin McMahill, sheriff of the Las Vegas police, during a press conference, specifying that seven other people suffered from ” minor injuries ».

In remarks in the evening, United States President Joe Biden confirmed that authorities were investigating whether there was “ any possible connection » between this explosion and the deadly attack in New Orleans, the American president adding that nothing indicated “ so far ». « We believe this is an isolated event added Jeremy Schwartz, FBI agent.

No Islamic State flag like in New Orleans

Questioned by the press, Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill said there was “no no indication » allowing a link to be established between the explosion in front of the Trump hotel and the terrorist group. “ There is no visible ISIS flag as was the case in New Orleans », Specified the police officer.

This explosion comes a few hours after a former American soldier, identified by the FBI as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, is suspected of having driven into the crowd at the wheel of his vehicle in New Orleans. This attack, treated as a “ act of terrorism » according to the federal police, left at least 15 dead and around thirty injured. Investigators said they found a flag of the Islamic State terrorist group in the vehicle.

In the case of Las Vegas, the metallic gray electric vehicle, parked in front of the entrance to the hotel where the name of Donald Trump is displayed large, explodes in a huge cloud of smoke, as you can see below.

The rear of the vehicle contained cans of gasoline and “ large fireworks mortars », Specified Kevin McMahill, the sheriff of Las Vegas, to the press, estimating that the structure of the Cybertruck had “ allowed to limit the damage ». « Most of the explosion went through the (vehicle) from above and came out. If you watch this video, you'll see that the glass doors of the Trump Hotel weren't even shattered by the explosion “, he said.

Before Joe Biden's statement, Elon Musk had claimed on his social network was caused by large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the back of the rented Cybertruck and is not related to the vehicle itself ”, without supporting his point. “ We've never seen anything like this », Initially declared the boss of Tesla, an ally of Donald Trump, also responsible for a mission of deregulation and reduction of public spending in the future government of the elected president.

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