Date: November 22, 2023

WASHINGTON - A vehicle explosion on Wednesday at the Rainbow Bridge connecting Canada with the United States at Niagara Falls has resulted in the closure of the border crossing, along with three other crossings between western New York and southern Ontario. According to officials, the blast claimed the lives of the driver and a passenger, while injuring a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer.

While investigators have ruled out a bomb as the cause of the explosion, the possibility of terrorism has yet to be discounted, as the circumstances surrounding the incident remain undetermined. The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force has been mobilized to investigate the incident.

According to initial reports, the incident was believed to be caused by a reckless driver whose actions led to a crash and subsequent fire. CBP officials, while not ruling out a deliberate attack, have stated that the preliminary evidence does not suggest such a scenario.

Following the incident, Buffalo International Airport has temporarily closed all departing and arriving international flights. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a notice regarding the closure on its website.

The Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center treated and evaluated a single patient with non-life-threatening injuries related to the incident. The patient has since been discharged.

Eyewitness and law enforcement accounts describe a car speeding onto the bridge, losing control, and crashing into flames. The Niagara Gazette, citing law enforcement sources, reported that the car entered the bridge plaza, broke through a fence, and exploded near the inspection lanes.

Authorities have shut down the Rainbow Bridge, along with the Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, and Whirlpool Bridge indefinitely as a safety precaution. The crossings are among the busiest in the world, facilitating both vehicle and railroad traffic.

Security measures have been heightened at airports, railways, and various locations in New York City. The Niagara-Frontier Transit Authority is overseeing security in the region.

Both Canadian and American authorities are actively engaged in assessing the situation. The FBI, in coordination with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, is investigating the explosion. The state police of New York, in collaboration with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, are closely monitoring all entry points into the state.

The White House is closely monitoring the situation, and heightened security measures have been implemented across the region. The government of Canada has ensured that the incident is being taken extremely seriously and is maintaining close contact with American authorities.

As investigations continue, further updates will be provided. The U.S. State Department and border agency officials on both sides have yet to comment on the reported closures.

[This article is based on information from Reuters and eyewitness accounts.]