Car Explodes On Bridge Between USA, Canada Near Niagara Falls
- 23.11.2023, 4:34
On what's known.
A car has exploded on the Rainbow Bridge near Niagara Falls, which connects the US and Canada. It happened the day before Thanksgiving, one of the busiest tourist days of the year in the US, Unilad reported.
According to Niagara Falls city authorities, the vehicle was travelling towards the US. The incident occurred around 11.30pm local time. Eyewitnesses reported seeing fire and a column of black smoke.
Officials confirmed that all other crossing points between the two countries in the region are closed until further notice. They are the Peace Bridge, the Lewiston-Quinston Bridge and the Whirpool Bridge and they are closed in both directions.
According to the Associated Press, two people who were in the exploding vehicle have died.
"The FBI Buffalo Field Office is investigating a vehicle explosion on the Rainbow Bridge, a border crossing between the U.S. and Canada at Niagara Falls. The FBI is coordinating this investigation with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners. As the situation is very fluid, this is all we can say at this time," reads the statement on the FBI's official X social media page.
New York State Governor Kathy Hawkul also confirmed the incident. "State agencies are on the scene and ready to assist," she wrote.
"At my direction, the New York State Police are actively working with the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force to monitor all points of entry into New York City. I am travelling to Buffalo to meet with law enforcement and emergency services and will let New Yorkers know when more information becomes available," the governor added.
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority said on X that it would increase security measures.
"In response to the Rainbow Bridge incident, [the agency] is increasing system-wide security. Vehicles arriving at Buffalo Airport will be subject to security checks and travellers can expect additional checks. Buffalo and Niger Falls airports are fully operational. We advise travellers to take the time to take these extra precautions in addition to travelling on holiday," the statement said.
US President Joe Biden has been informed about the incident that occurred at the Rainbow Bridge on the US-Canada border. This was reported by White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre, reports CNN. Biden and his team are "closely monitoring developments," she said.
According to the US Federal Aviation Administration, Buffalo Niagara International Airport is closed to both arriving and departing international flights, CNN reported. The closure is scheduled to last for two days.
A witness to the incident, Mike Gunter, told WGRZ-TV that he saw a car that was travelling toward the crossing from the U.S. side swerve to avoid another car, hit a fence and exploded.
"Suddenly it went up in the air and then turned into a fireball about 30 or 40 feet (9 -12 metres) high. I have never seen anything like that before," he revealed.