According to sources, a car explosion on Friday on the American side of the Rainbow Bridge—which spans Niagara Falls, New York, and connects the United States and Canada—killed two people.
In the wake of the incident, the Rainbow Bridge has closed.
According to several people briefed on the investigation, the car—which is thought to be a Mercedes—sped toward a border checkpoint at the American side of the bridge and struck a concrete barrier, ABC News was told.
According to sources, the impact sent the car flying into the area where cars headed for the United States are sent for additional screening.
According to sources, the car exploded and caught fire.
ABC News was informed by sources that investigators discovered a briefcase or suitcase at the scene. The package is being handled by the bomb squad, who are treating it as a potential explosive device out of caution.
Because of extreme caution, the four Canada-U.S. bridges across the Niagara River have been closed while the Rainbow Bridge investigation is ongoing, according to Ron Rienas, General Manager of the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority, who spoke with ABC News about this.
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York stated, “The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and the New York State Police are actively monitoring all points of entry into New York at my direction. I’m going to Buffalo to meet with emergency personnel and law enforcement, and I’ll let the people of New York know when I have more details.”
According to the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, there will be more passenger screenings and car checks as part of the increased security.
According to the White House, President Joe Biden has been informed about the explosion and is actively monitoring the situation.
“This is something we are treating very seriously,” stated Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada. “We are following up in an effort to obtain as many responses as we can, as soon as we can. At every border crossing in the nation, additional measures are being considered and implemented.”
The Toronto police department announced that it is stepping up patrols due to an excess of caution.
Mayor Eric Adams of New York City stated that he is keeping an eye on the situation.
In order to ensure that the public is safe, Adams stated that the NYPD has already stepped up security for Thanksgiving at various locations throughout the city, including points of entry and exit.