Car Bomb in las Vegas
Washington, Jan 1 (EFE). –
Authorities are investigating the explosion of a vehicle in front of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, United States, on Wednesday as a possible act of terrorism.
The explosion, which occurred at 8:40 a.m. local time, killed the driver and injured seven other people.
The vehicle, a Tesla Cybertruck, had been parked in the hotel’s valet area where it exploded, the causes of which are not yet known.
A source quoted by ABC News indicated that the vehicle was carrying “fireworks-style mortars”.
US media later reported that the explosives were described as fireworks, gas tanks, and camping fuel, which authorities believe were connected to a detonation system controlled by the driver.
Investigators are now focusing on whether the driver intended to cause an explosion and a possible motive.
Tesla owner Elon Musk said the cause of the explosion was a bomb or high-caliber pyrotechnics.
“We have now confirmed that the explosion was caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck and is unrelated to the vehicle itself. All vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion,” said Musk in a message on X.
He added in a second message that the explosion “appears likely to be an act of terrorism,” although it has not been confirmed by US authorities.
Musk also said the Cybertruck was rented from Turo, an Airbnb-like app but for cars, also used to rent the F-150 used in the New Orleans attack on Wednesday morning.
The explosion in Las Vegas came hours after an individual killed at least 10 people and injured dozens in an attack in New Orleans when he drove his vehicle into a crowd celebrating New Year’s Eve. EFE
at/mcd
