The Rainbow Bridge, a prominent crossing between the United States and Canada near Niagara Falls, remains closed for a second day following a tragic car explosion. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning, causing widespread disruption on the eve of Thanksgiving and triggering a major security scare.

According to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, the car involved in the explosion was traveling at a high speed and crashed over an 8ft fence on the New York side of the border near a checkpoint. The resulting explosion incinerated the vehicle, leaving nothing but the engine behind. The blast claimed the lives of a husband and wife who were inside the car, while a US border agent was injured.

While Governor Hochul has ruled out terrorism, many unknowns still persist, including the identities of the couple and the reason behind their crash. The investigation, now being handled by the Niagara Falls Police Department, is expected to take some time due to the complexity of the incident.

CNN reported that the motorist was driving a 2022 Bentley and had recently visited a US casino, following the cancellation of a Kiss concert in Canada that they initially intended to attend. The Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino, located less than a mile from the Rainbow Bridge, has stated its cooperation with the ongoing police investigation.

The closure of the Rainbow Bridge, a renowned crossing for both motorists and pedestrians over the Niagara River, has adversely affected travelers on both sides of the border. Residents and tourists have been left stranded, with some forced to leave their vehicles behind and walk back to Canada. The closure has also disrupted traffic on one of the busiest travel days of the year preceding American Thanksgiving.

The mayor of Niagara Falls, Canada, Jim Diodati, expects the bridge to reopen by Thursday or Friday, although the holiday in the US could potentially delay the process.

Immediate fears of a terrorist attack were dispelled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of Buffalo, which stated that there were no explosive materials found at the scene, nor any identified terrorism nexus. The FBI has concluded its investigation and handed the matter over to local law enforcement as a traffic investigation.

Other nearby bridges connecting the US and Canada, including the Peace, Queenston-Lewiston, and Whirlpool Rapids Bridges, had temporary closures but reopened to the public by Wednesday evening.

As the investigation continues, authorities are focused on identifying the deceased couple and notifying their next of kin. The tragic incident at the Rainbow Bridge has left both the American and Canadian communities in shock as they await further updates on this devastating event.

(Note: The previously mentioned information about Eric Adams and Stuart Seldowitz was not included in the news article as it is unrelated to the car explosion at the Rainbow Bridge.)