The FBI is investigating a vehicle that crashed at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing between the United States and Canada.
The two individuals in the vehicle are now deceased, according to Fox News.
Sources told the outlet that the vehicle attempted to drive toward the border officer building.
All bridges and governmental buildings have been evacuated.
“The FBI Buffalo Field Office is investigating a vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge, a border crossing between the US and Canada in Niagara Falls,” the FBI said, adding that the situation is “very fluid.”
#FBI Buffalo statement on investigation at the Rainbow Bridge: pic.twitter.com/jRaGLL8sU8
— FBI Buffalo (@FBIBuffalo) November 22, 2023
New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) tweeted, “I’ve been briefed on the incident on the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls and we are closely monitoring the situation. State agencies are on site and ready to assist.”
🚨#BREAKING: A vehicle entering a toll booth at Rainbow Bridge has caused a large explosion to go off, prompting evacuations.⁰⁰📌#NiagaraFalls | #Canada
Currently, multiple authorities and emergency personnel are on the scene, with evacuations underway after a vehicle… pic.twitter.com/CGJnKIm6u5
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) November 22, 2023
Update November 22 at 2 p.m. PT: Early reports claimed the crash was a possible terrorist attack. Subsequent investigations allege the incident was caused by reckless driving. This article has been edited to reflect recent reports.
According to a report from The Post Millennial, witnesses told reporters that the vehicle was airborne before hitting the building.
Update November 22 at 2:28 p.m. PT: Eyewitness accounts claim the explosion was an accident. According to an anonymous official who spoke with Just the News, there is “no sign of terrorism.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) tweeted, “My staff and I are closely monitoring the explosion at the NY-Canada border, and communicating with NY delegation members on the ground I’ve requested a briefing from the appropriate federal officials to gather all concrete information as soon as possible. In the meantime, we are praying for the safety and well being of all responders at the scene.”
A White House National Security Council told The Daily Mail, “The White House is closely monitoring the situation, law enforcement is on-scene and investigating.”
Update November 22 at 5:24 p.m. PT: Customs and Border Patrol released footage of the crash. This article has been updated to reflect recent information.
CBP is working closely with @FBI, federal, state & local partners in response to a vehicle explosion at Rainbow Bridge which remains closed. Out of abundance of caution, CBP temporarily suspended inbound/outbound traffic at 3 other Buffalo crossings that have since reopened. pic.twitter.com/pTXyUsavRB
— CBP (@CBP) November 22, 2023