Niagara Falls Rainbow Bridge Explosion: What We Know
The FBI said it is investigating a “vehicle explosion” that occurred on Wednesday at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing in Niagara Falls, New York, which connects the U.S. to Canada. Here’s what we know so far.
What Canadian officials have said
Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s public safety minister, said the Canadian government is closely monitoring the situation alongside its U.S. partners. He did not share much new information at a briefing, saying it would be “not responsible” to speculate at this juncture.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed that Rainbow Bridge, Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston and the Whirlpool Bridge are currently closed in response to the incident. The four bridges connect Canada to Western New York.
“Additional measures are being contemplated and activated at all border crossings across the country. We are taking this extraordinarily seriously,” he said
What people saw
Mike Guenther of Ontario told WGRZ that he was out walking with his wife on Main Street in Niagara Falls, New York, when he saw a car speed past him; he estimated it was traveling over 100 miles per hour. According to Guenther, the car was heading from the U.S. toward Canada.
“There was a car in front of him. He swerved around it and then it looked like he hit the fence and the fire started. And then, all of a sudden, he went up in the air and then there was a ball of fire like 30, 40 feet high,” Guenther said.
Others saw the aftermath of the apparent explosion.
Car explodes at border checkpoint in Niagara Falls, on the New York-Canada border. Cause unclear. FBI investigating pic.twitter.com/I8IBSm4uEx
— BNO News (@BNONews) November 22, 2023
An explosion just occurred at #NiagraFalls Rainbow Bridge area. Don't know what happened but we've been evacuated. pic.twitter.com/KEVOGyLqxW
— ⚽Acid Phase⚽ (@AC1DPHA5E) November 22, 2023
What we know so far
Federal authorities confirmed that they are investigating reports of a vehicle explosion at the Niagara Falls Rainbow Bridge.
“The FBI is coordinating with our local, state, and federal law-enforcement partners in this investigation. As this situation is very fluid, that’s all we can say at this time,” the agency’s Buffalo field office said in a statement.
The cause of the explosion and whether people were injured is not known. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a blast followed by a plume of smoke.
Authorities first reported a closure of the bridge shortly before noon, and WKBW said traffic is closed in both directions and will remain that way until further notice.
Governor Kathy Hochul said she is traveling to nearby Buffalo and that local, state, and federal authorities are investigating. Authorities said Wednesday that cars coming into the Buffalo airport will receive security checks and that travelers should expect additional screenings.