January 1st 2025.
Tragedy struck the bustling city of Las Vegas on Wednesday morning when a Tesla Cybertruck exploded and caught fire outside the Trump International Hotel. According to authorities, one person lost their life and at least seven others were injured in the incident.
At around 8:40 a.m., the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department received a report of an explosion at the Trump hotel. Sheriff Kevin McMahill shared in a news conference that a 2024 Cybertruck had pulled up to the hotel's entrance doors before smoke and a loud explosion erupted from the vehicle.
Unfortunately, the person inside the truck did not survive the blast, McMahill confirmed. He also mentioned that seven others had sustained minor injuries. The cause of the explosion was still unknown at the time, but authorities referenced a similar attack that occurred in New Orleans earlier that day.
"We're well aware of the tragedy that took place in New Orleans," McMahill stated. "With an explosion happening on one of Las Vegas' iconic boulevards, we are taking every precaution necessary to ensure the safety of our community."
McMahill reassured that there was no longer a threat to the public, but the investigation would continue. "There are many unanswered questions regarding the Cybertruck and its presence at the Trump hotel," he added.
Videos shared on social media showed the burning Tesla Cybertruck just outside the hotel's lobby entrance, with people being evacuated from the building. Eric Trump, son of Donald Trump and a leader of the Trump Organization, released a statement expressing the hotel's concern for their guests and staff.
Shortly after, the Trump Las Vegas' social media account shared the same message. Guests who were staying at the hotel shared their experience of being evacuated due to the fire.
Todd Hansen, who was on the 27th floor, heard a series of loud noises and immediately went to the lobby area, where he saw smoke and sprinklers. "The elevator area was crowded with people," Hansen recalled. "We were not allowed to leave the area until we were evacuated." He and his wife were able to return to their room to alert their belongings and were later evacuated.
Shir Poli, a guest from San Antonio, also noticed a gas-like smell on her floor and in the elevator. She was able to grab her luggage before being evacuated.
Kerri Ford, a guest from Wisconsin, was caught off guard when she left her room for a cup of coffee and was told to evacuate. She was set to be married later that afternoon, and her wedding dress and marriage license were still in her room.
"We had no idea what was going on," Ford explained. "We just went down for coffee and then were told to evacuate."
The Trump International Hotel, located on Fashion Show Drive, boasts over 1,300 suites and stands tall at 64 stories. This tragic explosion occurred on the eve of New Year's Eve, a significant celebration in Las Vegas. It also came just hours after a truck drove into a crowd in New Orleans, another city known for its New Year's festivities, resulting in the death of 10 people.
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