Smoke billows from Niagara Falls explosion as two people dead in vehicle blast
Two people are dead following a vehicle explosion at the US-Canada border crossing at Niagara Falls, law enforcement sources have said.
The explosion on Wednesday took place on the famed Rainbow Bridge temporarily shuttered border crossings between the US and Canada in the area.
The incident involved a vehicle on the US side of the border. The vehicle reportedly hit a curb and became airborne before combusting in an explosion, according to the FBI field office in Buffalo, New York.
The blast temporarily closed the Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, Whirlpool Bridge and Rainbow Bridge crossings between the US and Canada. Buffalo Airport also closed to international flights in response to the incident.
But New York Governor Kathy Hochul later told a press conference that there was “no sign of terrorist activity” following the incident. Three of the four cross-border bridges were later reopened.
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul says ‘no sign’ of terror activity after car crash at Niagara Falls border
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul says ‘no sign’ of terror activity after car crash at Niagara Falls border
Mike Bedigan22 November 2023 22:53
Traffic resumes on three cross-border bridges
Three of the four cross-border bridges between the US and Canada have been reopened, following Wednesday’s incident.
Cameras showed traffic resuming in both directions at the Peace Bridge, the international bridge on the US-Canada border near Buffalo, New York.
The Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and Whirlpool Bridge were also expected to reopen later on Wednesday evening, New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed at a press conference.
Rainbow Bridge, where the vehicle explosion occurred, will remain closed as investigations continue.
Mike Bedigan22 November 2023 22:45
New York Governor: ‘We need to dial down the temperature’
Governor Hochul reiterated that her conclusion on lack of terrorist motive was “based on briefings with experienced law enforcement”, adding that there was “no indication based on any online threats, anyone taking credit”.
“We need to dial down the temperature, all is well, we are still investigating but based on the preliminary investigation there is no sign of terrorism in this horrific explosion,” she said.
Mike Bedigan22 November 2023 22:23
Car explodes in CCTV at US-Canada border crossing
Car explodes in CCTV at US-Canada border crossing
Mike Bedigan22 November 2023 22:20
New York Governor: ‘no sign of terrorist activity’
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she was “closely monitoring the situation” and later at a press conference said no threats had been made against the region.
“This vehicle basically incinerated, there is nothing left but the engine. it is going to take a long time for our federal law enforcement partners to piece together the real story,” she told reporters.
“Based on what we know at this moment there is no sign of terrorist activity. This is a local individual, a Western New Yorker.”
Mike Bedigan22 November 2023 22:17
Toronto Police increase security ‘out of an abundance of caution’
Toronto Police said that it would be increasing patrols in the city following the incident at the US-Canada border, but that there were currently “no known threats” to the city.
“Due to today’s incident at the Canada-US border, we will be increasing directed patrols of uniformed officers throughout the city. This is out of an abundance of caution and there are no known threats for the city of #Toronto,” the force wrote on X.
Mike Bedigan22 November 2023 22:15
New York State Governor to give update
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul is due to give a live update on the situation at the US-Canada border crossing.
Mike Bedigan22 November 2023 22:11
Buffalo airport closes to international flights after explosion at Niagara Falls border crossing
Mike Bedigan22 November 2023 22:10
Registered owner of vehicle involved in explosion identified, reports
CNN reports that authorities have identified the registered owner of the vehicle involved in the incident on the Rainbow Bridge.
A video canvass of the surrounding area in the hours before the incident found that the car appeared to have been at a nearby New York casino before approaching the border.
The FBI is working to identify the bodies of the dead occupant or occupants in the car and see if there’s any evidence of explosives, sources told CNN.
The outlet reported that authorities are trying to determine whether the car is registered to the driver at the scene, but the condition of the remains has made it difficult for authorities to determine the identity of the driver. The condition of the remains has also cast doubt on whether there were indeed one or two people in the vehicle at the time of the explosion.
Mike Bedigan22 November 2023 21:59
New York Senator confirms two dead. No motive known yet
New York Senator Chuck Schumer said he had been briefed by the FBI on the incident at Niagara Falls, but authorities were yet to establish the identities of the two people involved, or any possible motive.
“I was just briefed by the @FBI on the incident at Rainbow Bridge Initial reports indicate the two people killed were in the car but nothing’s been determined on their identity or motive,” he wrote on X.
“They continue to investigate—law enforcement remains on heightened alert over Thanksgiving.”
Mike Bedigan22 November 2023 21:55
Emily Foster is a globe-trotting journalist based in the UK. Her articles offer readers a global perspective on international events, exploring complex geopolitical issues and providing a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
