USALife.info / NEWS / 2023 / 11 / 22 / TRAGIC EXPLOSION AT RAINBOW BRIDGE CLAIMS TWO LIVES IN NIAGARA FALLS
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Tragic Explosion at Rainbow Bridge Claims Two Lives in Niagara Falls

17:02 22.11.2023

Two people have died and the Rainbow Bridge, along with three other border crossings in the area, has been shut down after a vehicle exploded on the bridge connecting the US and Canada. The car crashed into a checkpoint on the US side of the bridge in Niagara Falls and caught fire. The initial search conducted by senior law enforcement officials did not find any secondary explosives or devices, leading them to believe that a bomb was not involved. However, authorities are still investigating whether the crash was intentional, and the FBI has described the situation as "very fluid."

The incident occurred just one day before Thanksgiving, a major US public holiday when millions of Americans travel to visit their friends and family. Many people have already begun their journeys, making the situation even more distressing. As a result of this incident, the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport in New York state has closed all departing and arriving international flights.

Witnesses at the scene reported seeing a vehicle speeding towards the border crossing and swerving to avoid another car before crashing into a fence and exploding in a ball of fire. Images and videos captured at the border control scene showed a blaze and debris scattered on the ground, with a security booth visibly damaged by flames.

So far, it remains unclear whether the crash was a deliberate act. Canada's public safety minister, Dominic LeBlanc, stated that it was too early to determine the motive behind the incident. Meanwhile, Ukrainian visitor Ivan Vitalii, who was near the bridge at the time, recounted hearing a loud noise followed by fire and thick black smoke.

In response to the situation, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the issue in Canada's parliament, emphasizing its seriousness and stating that "additional measures" were being considered and activated at border crossings throughout the country. The FBI is currently leading the investigation into the vehicle explosion, which occurred at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing.

According to senior law enforcement officials, the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed when it crashed into the checkpoint structure, resulting in the subsequent fire and explosion. Both occupants of the vehicle were killed in the incident, while a Customs and Border Protection officer suffered minor injuries that did not require hospitalization.

Following the explosion, all bridge crossings from western New York into the US were temporarily shut down. Several emergency vehicles were present at the bridge entrance, and federal authorities initiated an investigation. The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is working closely with the New York State Police to monitor all points of entry into the state.

Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her awareness of the incident and announced her plans to travel to Buffalo to meet with law enforcement officials. She also assured the public that state agencies are actively involved and ready to assist. The White House is closely monitoring the situation as well, according to an official statement.

The Canada Border Services Agency is coordinating with US counterparts to address the matter, while the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority has announced increased security measures systemwide. Travelers at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport should anticipate additional screenings, and vehicles entering the airport will undergo security checks.

As this is a developing story, further updates are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.

/ Wednesday, November 22, 2023, 5:02 PM /

themes:  Thanksgiving  Canada  New York (state)

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10/05/2024    info@usalife.info
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