BREAKING

Niagara's Rainbow bridge closed following vehicle explosion

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
22 Nov 2023 23:37

The FBI reported it as an act of terrorism.

Debris is scattered about inside the customs plaza at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, in Niagara Falls, New York (AP)

The Rainbow Bridge, an international crossing at the US-Canada border, has been shut down in both directions after an incident with a vehicle, as stated by the Niagara Falls Mayor's Office on Wednesday.

"The Rainbow Bridge is currently closed until further notice," the office said in a statement.

The Niagara Gazette reported that the incident was attributed to a vehicle explosion outside the border inspection plaza on the American side.

According to the report, the vehicle allegedly traveled in the wrong direction into the inspection booths, leading to the explosion.

Witnesses reported hearing loud noises resembling explosions and observed a cloud of smoke, according to further reports.

🚨🚨🚨NEW VIDEO 🚨🚨🚨🚨
The Rainbow Bridge VIDEO of incident
📍Niagara Falls NY📍

Car was seen travelling 100mph down “Main St” picture attached, swerved around a car and lost control into the USA side.

You can see from this video the car does not come from the Canada Side. pic.twitter.com/Lb1Q0qmL25
— Kyle.Taylor (@livingbyyyz) November 22, 2023

According to Fox News, the FBI, which is investigating the incident, described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack.

Two individuals in the vehicle lost their lives in the incident, as reported by Fox News.

The vehicle, traveling from the US to Canada, reportedly attempted to approach the border officer building.

The Buffalo Niagara International Airport in the US state of New York has been closed to international flights, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Wednesday.

"Buffalo Niagara International is closed TO DEP. AND ARR. INTL. ACFT.," the FAA said in a notice.

In a separate notice, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authorities (NFTA) stated that in response to a reported incident involving an explosion of a vehicle at the Rainbow Bridge connecting the United States and Canada, they are increasing security system-wide and imposing additional checks at the airport.