During the afternoon on Wednesday, November 22, a vehicle was seen accelerating towards the Rainbow Bridge checkpoint on the U.S. side of the bridge that connects Canada with the United States at Niagara Falls, New York. According to Governor Kathy Hochul who spoke during a news conference, the vehicle crashed into a booth and exploded before going airborne.
The incident has caused serious concerns over possible terrorist activity as well as other safety issues in this area of the border crossing between Canada and America. It turns out that neither explosives nor license plates were found on the scene – but one briefcase or suitcase was found and is being treated as a possible explosive device by the bomb squad, as a precautionary measure.
BREAKING: Strong explosion reported, incident involves vehicle entering US from Canada via Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls; access closed in both directionspic.twitter.com/jk75tSBoLn
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) November 22, 2023
Gov. Hochul reported that both driver and passenger were killed in this horrific crash, one of them being a western New York resident. Unfortunately, one booth agent was injured in the incident and was taken to hospital for treatment before being released later in the day.
She also noted that it could have been “very cataclysmic” given how congested this area is – and what’s more surreal is that it looked like something generated by A.I., according to her description.
The bridge has remained closed while an investigation takes place into what happened here with debris scattered over 13 booths – however other Canada-U.S bridges across Niagara River have since reopened for traffic in both directions later on Wednesday evening including Peace, Queenston-Lewiston and Whirlpool Rapids Bridges etc.
BREAKING: Photo after reports of incident involving vehicle coming into the US on the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, NY Gov. Hochul says being briefed on incident. All 4 international border crossings between the US-Canada in Western New York closed https://t.co/v3rws2450M pic.twitter.com/B2rFfYfRo9
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) November 22, 2023
Buffalo Niagara International Airport said they are increasing security measures such as car checks and additional screenings for travelers entering or leaving their premises after this incident occurred.
President Biden has also been briefed about it according to White House officials which prompted Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau informing Parliament about taking extra precautions at all border crossings across his nation when looking into what happened here too.
Toronto police department even increased patrols out of “abundance of caution” says Mayor Eric Adams who’s also monitoring events here closely along with NYPD who enhanced security for Thanksgiving celebrations so people can expect additional security presence at locations around NYC including entry/egress points too.
