The Rainbow Border Bridge, which is located between the state of New York, United States, and Ontario, Canada, was closed after a car exploded on the US side this Wednesday, November 22.
Local authorities told the media CNN that the two passengers of the vehicle lost their lives, while one of the customs officers was slightly injured.
Kathy Hochul, governor of New York, stated during a press conference that there was no indication that this was a possible terrorist attack, thus ruling out several theories that circulated on social networks during the first minutes.
The official added that the explosion and subsequent fire completely destroyed the car, so nothing recognizable was left except for the engine.
“At my direction, the New York State Police is actively working with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force to monitor all entry points into New York. I travel to Buffalo to meet with authorities and emergency personnel. We will update New Yorkers when more information is available,” she added.
The middle Infobae He indicated that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is reviewing the case, with the first indications that it was an accident that occurred at a checkpoint near Niagara Falls.
Videos of the incident were shared by the local press, and show the exact moment the explosion occurred. Sources who were able to witness everything indicated that the car arrived at the place at high speed and hit a fence squarely, which started a fire that must have reached the gasoline tank.
Looks like speeding car went airborne at Rainbow Bridge at U.S./Canada border. pic.twitter.com/59xuf44VIp
— Americat 🇺🇸 (@catmurphy209) November 22, 2023
“Suddenly it jumped into the air and then it was a fireball about 10 or 12 meters high. He had never seen anything like it,” declared a witness identified as Mike Guenther to the media. WGRZ-TV.
Additionally, several photographs of the security cabin were shared online, which reveal the power behind the explosion, as it ended up demolished and in flames.
Explosion at the border checkpoint between the US and Canada-Niagara Rainbow Bridge.
The FBI in Buffalo is investigating the explosion at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls.
The Buffalo and Niagara Falls airports are fully operational. Niagara. pic.twitter.com/01dRhXpfJj
— DIGITAL REPORT (@ReportaDigital) November 22, 2023
For his part, the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, stated that this was a serious situation in Niagara Falls, so he was taking the matter very seriously.
Additionally, it was learned that three other bridges connecting the US with Canada (in Lewiston, Whirlpool and Peace) will be temporarily closed, while an investigation is being carried out.
On the Canadian side, authorities continue to operate normally, as the dates leading up to Thanksgiving usually see a large influx of people between both nations.
Even so, the Canadian side was put on alert and increased controls on vehicles and people, this as a precaution. Additionally, Buffalo Niagara International Airport also implemented some additional security measures, including the suspension of international flights.
