Two killed in ‘attempted terror attack’ on Rainbow Bridge: Car entering US from Canada EXPLODES at iconic Niagara Falls intersection, killing two occupants
- Explosion came from a car ‘trying to enter the US from Canada’
- All four land border crossings between the two countries are now closed
- The FBI in Buffalo is investigating; It is unclear whether there are any injuries
An attempted terror attack on the Rainbow Bridge near Niagara Falls today saw a car explode, causing a massive explosion at a toll checkpoint that killed the vehicle’s two occupants.
Fox News quotes law enforcement sources as saying the intent was a bigger attack to kill more people.
It is unclear whether anyone besides the occupants of the car was injured.
The city of Niagara Falls says the explosion came from a car trying to enter the U.S. from Canada. It comes just two days after an intelligence report flagged an increased risk of a terror attack in New York City.
A video taken from a building next to the checkpoint shows the massive explosion
The aftermath of the explosion at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing near Niagara Falls on Wednesday following a suspected terrorist attack
The aftermath of the explosion Wednesday afternoon. It is unclear how many people were in the car and whether it was intentional
New York State Police responded to Rainbow Bridge on Wednesday afternoon after a vehicle exploded
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement that state police are working with an FBI Terrorism Task Force to investigate the incident.
All four land border crossings between the US and Canada are now closed.
“I have been informed of the situation that occurred at the Rainbow Bridge in Buffalo.
At my direction, the New York State Police are actively working with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force to monitor all points of entry into New York.
“I will travel to Buffalo to meet with law enforcement and first responders and will update New Yorkers as more information becomes available,” she 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 this situation is highly fluid, that is all we can say at this time,” the agency said.
The explosion was reported Wednesday afternoon. It is unclear whether any deaths or injuries occurred and its origins remain unknown
Smoke rises from the Rainbow Bridge toll checkpoint Wednesday afternoon
A tourist visiting Canada who was on the scene told DailyMail.com that she saw plumes of smoke rising into the sky and was told they would not be able to cross.
Photos she took shortly after the event showed white smoke rising from the scene.
She was trying to cross into the US for a walk from Canada when they were turned around.
She said: ‘It must have happened just as we planned for it. Moments before, the guard had said: as long as we have passports, it’s fine.
“Then we were told not to go there and to try again in a few hours.”