An attempted terror attack on Rainbow Bridge at Niagara Falls today saw a car explode, causing a massive explosion at a toll checkpoint that killed the vehicle’s two occupants.
Fox News cites law enforcement sources who say the intention was a larger attack to kill more an the FBI Terrorism Task Force is investigating but officials are yet to confirm the motive. It remains unclear if anyone aside from those in the car were injured.
The City of Niagara Falls says the explosion came from a car that was trying to enter the US from Canada. It comes just two days after an intelligence report signaled increased risk of a terror attack in New York City.
After the explosion, motorists who’d driven into America were told to leave their vehicles and walk back into Canada while the cars were checked for bombs.
Witnesses who were in the US Customs and Immigration building next to the bridge were turned away, ordered to walk back over the bridge and leave their vehicles on the US side to be checked. ‘
‘There was an explosion just by the tall building you go in. ‘My own van was parked so close to the car that exploded, if you watch the video, the car was right on the left hand side,’ said one man who had just crossed over with his family.
‘When the explosion happened, we heard it like a loud boom. I heard it but I didn’t think it was something serious. Someone said “oh my god, the car exploded.’
‘We all went to watch. Then the US border and custom officials came out of their glass room and then I grabbed my phone, said I need to film this before they start moving us away from here.
‘The smoke got thicker, and thicker and thicker. We’re there then US Customs come out and said all of us we need to move this way. ‘They moved us to a safe passage,’ said one man, whose truck was parked ‘next’ the burning vehicle. The FBI Terrorism Task Force is investigating.
Buffalo airport cancels all international flights following terror attack
The bridge is closed, as is the Peace Bridge, which connects Buffalo and Canada. All international flights to and from the Buffalo airport have been canceled.
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority says cars coming into the Buffalo airport are undergoing security checks. Travelers should be prepared for extra screenings.
According to an FBI Twitter post, they are coordinating with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. The AP reports that the vehicle exploded at a checkpoint on the American side of a U.S.-Canada bridge, leaving two people dead and prompting the closing of four border crossings in the area, authorities said.
There was no immediate information on the cause of the explosion. The two deceased people were in the vehicle, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The official was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said officials were “taking this extraordinarily seriously,” and the White House said President Joe Biden was “closely following developments.” the AP reported.
“This is obviously a very serious situation in Niagara Falls,” Trudeau said in Parliament before excusing himself from Question Period in the House of Commons to be briefed further.
In a statement, Gov. Kathy Hochul said: “I have been briefed on the situation that occurred at the Rainbow Bridge in Buffalo. At my direction, the New York State Police is actively working with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force to monitor all points of entry to New York. I am traveling to Buffalo to meet with law enforcement and emergency responders and will update New Yorkers when more information becomes available.”
At the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport, it appeared to be pretty much business as usual Wednesday afternoon. News10NBC has reached out to airport officials and waits to hear back on what kind of response if any that officials here will be taking in the coming hours.
The state Department of Transportation confirmed that the Rainbow Bridge and Peace Bridge are closed, as well as the Lewiston-Queenston and Whirlpool bridges at the direction of federal authorities. Remaining international crossings are open but on heightened alert status.
The DOT also is closing I-190 at Upper Mountain Road in Niagara County. The I-190 Niagara Thruway northbound Exit 9 to the Peace Bridge is closed as well. The DOT and the Thruway Authority have message signs up warning westbound travelers that the border crossings in the Buffalo-Niagara area are closed.
