Authorities have confirmed the closure of all four US-Canada border crossings near Niagara Falls after a vehicle exploded at Rainbow Bridge, one of the four border crossings between New York state and the Canadian province of Ontario on Wednesday afternoon (November 22).
The FBI Buffalo Field office posted a statement on social media saying it was "investigating" the incident, adding that the situation was very fluid and no further details were immediately available.
"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," Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement, adding that she was on her way to Buffalo to "meet with law enforcement and emergency responders."
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CBS Buffalo affiliate WIVB initially reported that the vehicle was attempting to enter the US from Canada.
According to the Associated Press, videos capturing the fire that followed the explosion were in a US Customs and Border Protection area just east of the main vehicle checkpoint.
Other local media outlets reported that, according to eyewitnesses, the vehicle in question was speeding toward the crossing from the US side of the border when it swerved to avoid another car, crashed into a fence, and exploded.
The Rainbow Bridge is a popular crossing for tourists, connecting the two towns named "Niagara Falls" in both New York State and Ontario.
Other border crossings near Niagara Falls were the Peace Bridge, the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge, and the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge.
Meanwhile, on the Canadian side of the border, Peace Bridge general manager Ron Rienas also confirmed to the CBC that the bridges were shut down.
This is a developing story. Please follow HNGN for more updates.
