A speeding vehicle on the American side of a U.S.-Canada border crossing near Niagara exploded up Wednesday, killing two people.The explosion prompted federal authorities on both sides to close border checkpoints.
The two people discovered deceased were inside the exploding truck. The FBI’s Buffalo field office says it is investigating the Rainbow Bridge explosion, which connects the two countries over the Niagara River.
However, according to a preliminary inquiry, there is no evidence of terrorist participation, according to New York Governor Kathy Hochul. She stated that law enforcement was not aware of any threats to the region and that the inquiry is ongoing. She stated that the vehicle was destroyed and that fragments of it were extensively spread.
“The world is watching to find out what happened here,” she told reporters. “Based on what we know at this moment, and again anything can change, there is no sign of terrorist activity.”
“The FBI is coordinating with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in this investigation,” according to a statement on X. “As this situation is very fluid, that’s all we can say at the time.”
According to a preliminary inquiry, there is no evidence of terrorist participation, according to New York Governor Kathy Hochul. She stated that law enforcement was not aware of any threats to the region and that the inquiry is ongoing. She stated that the vehicle was destroyed and that fragments of it were extensively spread.
“The world is watching to find out what happened here,” she told US Today reporters. “Based on what we know at this moment, and again anything can change, there is no sign of terrorist activity.”
According to a witness, Mike Guenther, a vehicle was rushing toward the crossing from the US side of the border when it swerved to miss another automobile, crashed into a fence, and exploded.
“All of a sudden, he went up in the air, and then it was a ball of fire like 30 or 40 feet high,” Guenther told the channel. “I never saw anything like it.”
President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland were both briefed on the explosion. According to The White House, Biden and his colleagues are closely monitoring developments.
At 3:07 p.m. Wednesday, the US Federal Aviation Administration ordered a halt to foreign planes coming and departing from Buffalo Niagara foreign Airport. According to CNN, the groundings will be in effect until Friday afternoon.
Law enforcement officers barricade the Rainbow Bridge’s entry on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, in Niagara Falls, New York. A vehicle exploded at a checkpoint on a bridge near Niagara Falls, closing the border crossing between the United States and Canada.
In a statement on X, the Canada Border Services Agency stated that it is “aware of an evolving situation at Rainbow Bridge.”
“We are in contact with our counterparts in the United States about this.” “The FBI is leading the ongoing investigation,” according to the statement.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated on Wednesday afternoon that his staff and the NYPD “have been closely monitoring the situation on the ground in Buffalo following an explosion at the Rainbow Bridge, and we’ve already sent NYPD officers upstate to support efforts on the ground.”
Meanwhile, international flights at Buffalo Niagara International Airport have been canceled. Southwest Airlines, which has 14 daily departures from Buffalo’s airport to six cities, issued a travel advice for customers who wished to change their Wednesday flights due to probable difficulties, according to spokeswoman Chris Perry.
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon informing travelers that while Buffalo and Niagara Falls Airports are “fully operational,” there would be additional security procedures.
“In the response to the incident that is unfolding at the Rainbow Bridge, the NFTA is increasing security system-wide,” the statement said. “Cars coming into the Buffalo Airport will undergo security checks and travelers can expect additional screenings.”
They recommended tourists to “allow time for these additional precautions in addition to holiday travel.”
What is the Rainbow Bridge?
The Niagara Falls International Rainbow Bridge is an arch bridge that connects the American city of Niagara Falls, New York, and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. The bridge is accessible by automobile, foot, or bicycle.
Rainbow Bridge, built in 1941 to replace the Falls View Bridge, which collapsed in 1938, is one of numerous bridges that span the river downstream from the falls. The Niagara Falls International Rainbow Bridge is an arch bridge that connects the American city of Niagara Falls, New York, and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. The bridge is accessible by automobile, foot, or bicycle.
