Following an explosion at the Rainbow Bridge US border crossing with Canada in Niagara Falls, New York, on Wednesday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul stated that there is no indication of terrorism after two people were killed in a car that crashed at the site.
The incident led to the immediate closure of all four bridges between Canada and the United States near Niagara Falls, with only the Peace, Whirlpool, and Lewiston-Queenston bridges reopening later that Wednesday, while the Rainbow Bridge remained closed.
When asked why the FBI believes there isn’t a threat of terrorism, Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia referred to the Joint Terrorism Task Force, stating, “We do have someone in mind for it and we’re working through it through the JTTF.”
Here’s what we know:
High-speed vehicle: Surveillance footage showed a vehicle entering the bridge on the US side just before noon ET and accelerating at a high rate of speed, hitting a curb, going airborne over a barrier and exploding. The scene was captured in videos on social media and surveillance cameras, with a border patrol employee suffering minor injuries according to Hochul.
Leaders briefed: Both the leaders of the United States and Canada were briefed on the incident. Erie County Sheriff John Garcia mentioned that every precaution was taken to ensure safety, describing the crash as a tragic accident in the midst of initial uncertainty of a potential terrorist attack.
Occupants: Although Hochul was unable to confirm the origin of the vehicle, described as a 2022 Bentley two-door coupe, she indicated suspicions that it may have originated in the vicinity of a casino. The vehicle was reportedly traveling at an extremely high speed before the crash, with the governor noting that a resident from Western New York was involved in the incident.
Travel headaches: The explosion on the eve of the US Thanksgiving holiday led to closures and delays on a busy travel day. International flights at Buffalo Niagara International Airport were briefly halted, and additional screening was advised for travelers.
