A vehicle burst into flames this Wednesday on the Rainbow Bridge, which connects Canada and the United States, near Niagara Falls, leaving two people dead and temporarily closing part of the border crossing.
The FBI is investigating the incident and New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that “there is no indication that this is a terrorist attack” during a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
Four police officials told NBC News that the vehicle was traveling at high speed when it collided with the bridge structure, caught fire and exploded.
An initial search did not turn up any explosives or secondary devices, law enforcement officials said, noting that this was preliminary information.
Two people who were inside the car lost their lives, according to two senior officials. A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer also suffered minor injuries that did not require hospitalization, another law enforcement official said.
The identity of the victims has not been released and authorities are trying to determine whether or not the incident was intentional and, if so, what the motive was.
WHAT IS KNOWN FROM THE RESEARCH
“The FBI Buffalo office is investigating a vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge, a border crossing between the United States and Canada at Niagara Falls. The FBI is coordinating with local, state and law enforcement partners. in this investigation. That is all we can say at this time,” the FBI wrote in a statement on its social networks.
Investigators are looking into whether the driver had recently left a nearby casino and then sped away from the area.
There was nothing to immediately indicate that terrorism played a role in the incident, but law enforcement sources said they are investigating any and all possibilities given the large explosion.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said she was aware of the incident and will travel to Buffalo to meet with law enforcement officials. She said the New York State Police will actively work with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force to monitor all entry points into the state.
“I was made aware of the incident at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls and we are closely monitoring the situation. State agencies are on scene and ready to assist,” he said in a post on X, previously known as Twitter.
“I was made aware of the incident at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls and we are closely monitoring the situation. State agencies are on scene and ready to assist,” he said in a post on X.
SHOCKING VIDEOS
A video obtained exclusively by NBC New York shows the car, a white sedan, speeding along the U.S. side of the border before hitting something and going airborne. Upon landing, it burst into flames.
Mobile phone video showed flames at the checkpoint where the vehicle had crashed. Dark smoke could be seen coming out from under the car as it flew through the air. Authorities are investigating whether the fire was the result of the gasoline tank rupturing upon impact, which would have caused the explosion and fire.
Two people died after the car they were in crashed and burst into flames on a border bridge between the United States and Canada.
“It was a fireball between 30 and 40 feet high. I’ve never seen anything like it. It was unbelievable,” witness Mike Guenther told NBC affiliate WGRZ in Buffalo. He said he saw the car accelerate from the U.S. side of the Rainbow Bridge toward the Canadian side, but as he turned to pass a slower vehicle, he hit something. and flew through the air.
The witness said the car could have been going more than 100 mph.
Several emergency vehicles were at the entrance to the bridge and federal authorities were investigating, NBC affiliate WGRZ of Buffalo reported.
CLOSURES AT THE BORDER
Four border crossings in western New York were closed immediately afterward, according to the New York State Department of Transportation. Those crossings include the Rainbow Bridge, the Peace Bridge, the Lewiston-Queenston and the Whirlpool Bridge.
NYSDOT said the remaining international crossings were “on high alert” but remained open.
The Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security are monitoring the situation and “may adjust security postures as (or when) necessary.”
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority said the Buffalo and Niagara Falls airports are fully operational, but security will be increased throughout the system and travelers can expect additional screening.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said security has been increased and “the city is on high alert due to the upcoming holiday.”
“We have also reached out to partners at different levels of government and are in constant communication with them to assist with this effort. Our number one priority is, and always will be, the safety of New Yorkers,” the mayor said in a statement.
The White House is also closely monitoring the situation, an official said.
The Canada Border Services Agency said it was “in contact with our U.S. counterparts on this matter.”
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority said it would increase security across the system. Travelers at Buffalo Niagara International Airport should expect additional screening and vehicles entering the airport will undergo security screening, he said. The airport remains open but is closed to international flights.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the accident at the border “a very serious situation.”
“The Buffalo and Niagara Falls airports are fully operational. We advise travelers to take time to take these additional precautions in addition to holiday travel,” the agency said in a post on X.
2023-11-22 23:40:23
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