The Rainbow Bridge border crossing at Niagara Falls was closed after a reported explosion on the New York side of the highway bridge connecting the United States and Canada across the popular tourist destination.
The FBI’s Buffalo Field Office said it was investigating the explosion, adding: “The FBI is coordinating this investigation with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.”
Two people in the car were killed and a Border Patrol agent was injured, Fox News reported, citing FBI sources who said the incident was being treated as an attempted terrorist attack.
Photos and videos on social media showed thick smoke in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection area east of the main checkpoint, and a security booth appeared to be on fire.
It’s the day before Thanksgiving, one of the busiest travel periods in the United States, when millions of people travel to see their families.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said: “I have been briefed on the incident at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls and we are closely monitoring the situation.”
“I will travel to Buffalo to meet with law enforcement and first responders and will keep New Yorkers updated as more information becomes available.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also been briefed on the situation, his office said, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Canadian law enforcement agencies are “actively involved in assessing the situation.”
The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission reported that all four crossings (the others being Lewiston, Whirlpool and Peace Bridge) were closed.
Border officials in the U.S. had no immediate comment, and their Canadian counterparts did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Source: I News
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.