By Claudia Aoraha, Senior Reporter and Mackenzie Tatananni
Published: 7:40 p.m., November 22, 2023 | Updated: 11:50 p.m., November 22, 2023
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR:
- Just before noon on Wednesday, an explosion occurred on the Rainbow Bridge that connects the United States and Canada at Niagara Falls
- The vehicle that burst into flames at a checkpoint was attempting to enter the United States from Canada
- Two people in the car died. A border guard was injured
- The FBI Terrorism Task Force is investigating and is on scene
- President Joe Biden has been informed of the incident, the White House said
- New York Governor Kathy Hochul says there is no evidence of terrorism
- There will be an increased police presence across the City of Toronto following the incident
Toronto police will increase patrols by uniformed officers across the city
Toronto police announced they would increase targeted patrols by uniformed officers across the city. They emphasize that there are “no known threats” to Toronto.
Three border crossings in Buffalo have reopened
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the reopening of three additional border crossings in Buffalo that were closed “out of an abundance of caution.”
New video shows the moments before the explosion
New video shows the moments a white car flew into the air before colliding with a station at the Rainbow Bridge.
Here is the footage just before the explosion:
Governor Kathy Hochul informs about the explosion
New York Governor Kathy Hochul provides an update on the Rainbow Bridge explosion today.
She said there were no signs of terrorism in the explosion but that the investigation was ongoing.
Senator Chuck Schumer: “Nothing is known about identity or motive”
Senator Chuck Schumer said Wednesday: “I was just informed by the FBI about the Rainbow Bridge incident.”
“Initial reports indicate that the two people killed were in the car, but no information about their identity or motive could be provided.
“They continue to investigate – law enforcement remains on heightened alert for Thanksgiving.”
Amtrak is suspending service between New York and Canada
According to CNN, Amtrak has temporarily suspended its cross-border service between New York state and Canada.
This comes as the FBI continues to investigate the explosion at the border.
The US Secretary of Transportation makes a statement
Minister Pete Buttigieg said: “I have been briefed by our staff in New York State and at Headquarters about the explosion and related bridge closures at the US-Canada border and am in contact with my Canadian counterpart.”
“Travellers in the area should follow guidance and updates from law enforcement and state officials on travel impacts.”
Video: Car flies through the air before exploding
A new video shows the car later exploding as it flew through the air near border control.
Black smoke rises from the exploded car
All bridges between the United States and Canada in the Niagara Region are closed
All four bridges between Canada and the United States in the Niagara Region are closed.
These include the Rainbow Bridge, Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and Whirlpool Bridge.
They were decommissioned at the request of American officials following this afternoon’s car explosion.
Canada blocks access to Rainbow Bridge with snow plows – leaving tourists stranded
Three heavy snowplows were deployed to block the entrance to Rainbow Bridge from the Ontario, Canada side.
According to the CBC, several tourists were now stranded in Niagara Falls after crossing the bridge on foot on Wednesday – just a day before Thanksgiving.
The governor of New York is on her way to Buffalo
Kathy Hochul tried to reassure her voters.
She is on her way to Buffalo to speak with emergency responders and law enforcement.
Hocul said, “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.”
“I am traveling to Buffalo to meet with law enforcement and emergency responders and will update New Yorkers as more information becomes available.”
Buffalo’s Jewish community is shutting itself down out of an “extreme abundance of caution.”
The Jewish Community Center of Buffalo wrote in a statement on Facebook: “Attention: There has been an incendiary device explosion on the Rainbow Bridge.”
“Out of an abundance of caution, our law enforcement partners have recommended that our buildings be closed during the Thanksgiving holiday.”
“There are currently no known credible threats against the Jewish community.”
The consequences in pictures: bridges closed and increased police presence
The car accelerated, then flew 10 feet into the air and exploded, police said
According to police, the vehicle that burst into flames was traveling at high speed.
The car flew about 10 feet into the air.
According to CNN, citing the Federal Aviation Administration, Buffalo Niagara International Airport is closed to all departing and arriving international flights.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: “It’s a very serious situation”
Justin Trudeau’s press secretary, Jenna Ghassabeh, said the prime minister had been briefed “by the national security and intelligence adviser on the situation in Niagara Falls.”
The Canadian Prime Minister’s Office is in contact with U.S. officials.
Trudeau told the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon: “It’s a very serious situation.”
Where did the Rainbow Bridge explosion occur?
The White House says President Biden has been informed
The White House said it is closely monitoring the situation at the U.S.-Canada border.
President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland have been briefed on the matter.
There is no statement from the president yet.
According to the New York Times, a Border Patrol agent was injured in the Rainbow Bridge explosion today.
This came after it was confirmed that two people in the car were killed in the explosion.
The Peace Bridge, a crossing between the USA and Canada, is closed
The Peace Bridge, a border crossing between the United States and Canada, has been closed.
Ron Rienas, general manager of the Peace Bridge, said the bridge was closed early Wednesday afternoon.
The New York State Thruway Authority said in a statement: “BUFFALO – PEACE BRIDGE CLOSED: Due to the closure of the Peace Bridge, Exit 9 (Fort Erie Canada – Porter Avenue – Peace Bridge) from I-190 in Buffalo is currently closed.” Time.’
BREAKING: NYPD officers will be sent to Buffalo to bolster ground efforts, says Eric Adams
Troops from New York City would travel to the border to support upstate efforts, Mayor Adams said.
Eric Adams said in a statement Wednesday: “The NYPD and our team have been closely monitoring the situation on the ground in Buffalo following an explosion at Rainbow Bridge and we have already deployed NYPD officers to the state to support efforts on the ground .”
“The NYPD and our partners have already increased security and the city is on heightened alert due to the upcoming holiday, so the public will experience increased security at locations throughout New York City, including entry and exit points into and out of the city her out.”
“We have also reached out to partners at various levels of government and are in ongoing communication with them to support these efforts.” Our top priority remains the safety of New Yorkers.
“We will release more information as it becomes available, and we will have more information to share at our pre-arranged Thanksgiving Day Parade safety briefing this afternoon.”
Witnesses who were at the U.S. Customs and Immigration building next to the bridge were turned away and told to go back across the bridge and park their vehicles on the U.S. side for inspection. ‘
“There was an explosion right next to the tall building you’re walking into.”
“My own van was parked so close to the car that exploded. If you look at the video, the car was directly on the left,” said a man who had just crossed the border with his family.
“When the explosion happened, we heard it like a loud bang. I heard it, but I didn’t think it was anything serious. Someone said, “Oh my God, the car exploded.”
Canadian Security Minister: “Very serious situation”
Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc called the evolving matter a “very serious situation.”
He said: “This is obviously a very serious situation.” We take this circumstance very seriously, but to speculate about the origin of this particular circumstance – the reasons why this may have happened – until we have more precise information is simply not responsible .”
The car burst into flames shortly before noon
The car came to the United States, the city says
The city of Niagara Falls says the explosion came from a car trying to enter the United States from Canada.
It comes just days after the Secret Service reported there was an increased risk of terrorism in New York City.
In a statement, the field office said: “The FBI Buffalo Field Office is investigating a vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge, a U.S.-Canada border crossing in Niagara Falls.”
“The FBI is coordinating this investigation with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.”
“As the situation is very uncertain, that is all we can say at this time.”
Welcome to the live blog
We’ll keep you up to date with the latest news after a car exploded on Rainbow Bridge.
Rainbow Bridge explosion: Video shows flying car before it bursts into flames at US-Canada border
