Sources say two folks have been killed in a automobile explosion Wednesday afternoon at Rainbow Bridge, a U.S.-Canada border crossing close to Niagara Falls, in western New York. Officers say 4 U.S.-Canada border crossings within the area have been closed as investigators reply to the state of affairs.
A number of legislation enforcement sources confirmed to CBS Information two folks died contained in the automobile that exploded.
There had been conflicting early stories about which path the automotive was touring, however Wednesday afternoon a senior U.S. legislation enforcement official instructed CBS Information the automotive was coming from the U.S. facet. The official mentioned it hit the customs station and the automobile is charred. It isn’t but recognized why the automotive exploded.Â
The official mentioned that the nationalities of the 2 individuals who died should not but recognized.
A senior administration official described the incident to CBS Information as “greater than a freak accident, however we do not but have particulars.”
Mike Guenther, a Canadian resident visiting New York, mentioned he was strolling close by and noticed the automotive rushing in direction of the border crossing.
“And he was flying, over 100 miles an hour. There was a automotive in entrance of him, he swerved out, went in entrance of the automotive, hit the fence, went flying up into the air … and we simply seen the fireball, and that is all we might see, there was simply smoke in every single place,” he mentioned in an interview with NewsNation.
Guenther mentioned the automotive was heading from the U.S. towards Canada.
Randie Wilson, a Niagara Falls tour information, mentioned the crash was “like a film.” Wilson mentioned he was getting out of his automotive when he noticed one thing airborne. “I first thought it was an airplane, regarded like gradual movement. And I mentioned, ‘My God, it is a automotive.'”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned in a speech to parliament that the Canadian authorities is working in shut contact with U.S. officers, and that “further measures are being contemplated and activated in any respect border crossings throughout the nation.”Â
“We’re taking this terribly severely,” Trudeau mentioned.
The FBI Buffalo area workplace posted an announcement on social media confirming that it was “investigating a automobile explosion at Rainbow Bridge, a border crossing between the U.S. and Canada in Niagara Falls.” It added that the state of affairs was very fluid and “that is all we will say presently.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul mentioned in an announcement that she has been briefed on the state of affairs. “At my path, the New York State Police is actively working with the FBI Joint Terrorism Activity Pressure to watch all factors of entry to New York,” she mentioned, including that she is on her technique to Buffalo to “meet with legislation enforcement and emergency responders.”
Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer, of New York, additionally mentioned he had been briefed by the FBI. “Preliminary stories point out the 2 folks killed have been within the automotive however nothing’s been decided on their id or motive,” Schumer wrote on social media, including that “legislation enforcement stays on heightened alert over Thanksgiving.”
Along with Rainbow Bridge —  a well-liked crossing for vacationers, connecting Niagara Falls, New York, with Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada — Hochul mentioned three different bridges on the U.S.-Canadian border within the area have been closed following the incident: The Peace Bridge, the Lewiston-Queenston and the Whirlpool Bridge.
The Buffalo Niagara Worldwide Airport says it’s “open and totally operational,” with “moreover safety measures” in place till additional discover. The FAA mentioned on its web site the Buffalo airport is closed to departing and arriving worldwide flights.
U.S. vacationers throughout one of many busiest journey intervals of the yr can count on to see a rise in legislation enforcement and canines patrolling the transportation system, the Transportation Safety Administration mentioned in an announcement. The TSA mentioned it’s “working at a heightened stage of safety because of world occasions and the present risk setting.”
New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams mentioned in an announcement, “The NYPD and our staff have been intently monitoring the state of affairs on the bottom in Buffalo after an explosion on the Rainbow Bridge, and we have already despatched NYPD officers upstate to assist efforts on the bottom. The NYPD and our companions have already enhanced safety, and the town is on heightened alert because of the upcoming vacation, so the general public will see elevated safety at areas throughout New York Metropolis.”
Toronto police additionally mentioned they have been stepping up safety, tweeting: “Attributable to at present’s incident on the Canada-US border, we will probably be rising directed patrols of uniformed officers all through the town. That is out of an abundance of warning and there aren’t any recognized threats for the town of Toronto.”
This can be a breaking information story. Please test again for updates. Pat Milton, Robert Legare and Andres Triay contributed reporting.