Rainbow Bridge terror assault: US-Canada border closed after explosion

• An explosion occurred on the Rainbow Bridge connecting the US and Canada at Niagara Falls simply earlier than noon on Wednesday
• The car – which burst into flames by a checkpoint – was trying to return into the US from Canada
• Two folks contained in the automobile have died. One border patrol officer was injured
• The FBI Terrorism Task Force is investigating and are on the scene
• President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident, the White House says

The White House stated that it was intently monitoring the scenario on the US-Canada border.

President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland had been briefed on the matter.

No assertion from the president has been given but.

A border patrol officer was injured within the explosion on the Rainbow Bridge at present, based on the New York Times.

This comes after it was confirmed that two folks contained in the automobile had been killed within the blast.

Peace Bridge, a US-Canada crossing, has following suspected ‘terror assault’ on Rainbow Bridge at present.

Ron Rienas, normal supervisor of the Peace Bridge, stated the bridge was shut down early on Wednesday afternoon.

New York State Thruway Authority stated in a press release: ‘BUFFALO – PEACE BRIDGE CLOSED: Due to the the closure of the Peace Bridge, exit 9 (Fort Erie Canada – Porter Avenue – Peace Bridge) from I-190 in Buffalo is closed at the moment.’

Troops from New York City will journey as much as the border to assist efforts upstate, Mayor Adams stated.

Eric Adams stated in a press release on Wednesday: ‘The NYPD and our workforce have been intently monitoring the scenario on the bottom in Buffalo after an explosion on the Rainbow Bridge, and we’ve already despatched NYPD officers upstate to assist efforts on the bottom.

‘The NYPD and our companions have already enhanced safety, and the town is on heightened alert as a result of upcoming vacation, so the general public will see elevated safety at places throughout New York City, together with entry and egress factors into and out of the town.

‘We have additionally reached out to, and are in ongoing communication with, companions from throughout completely different ranges of presidency to help with this effort. Our primary precedence is, and all the time shall be, the security of New Yorkers.

‘We will launch further info because it turns into out there and could have extra info to share this afternoon at our pre-arranged safety briefing on the Thanksgiving Day Parade.’

Witnesses who had been within the US Customs and Immigration constructing subsequent to the bridge had been turned away, ordered to stroll again over the bridge and go away their automobiles on the US facet to be checked. ‘

‘There was an explosion simply by the tall constructing you go in.

‘My personal van was parked so near the automobile that exploded, in the event you watch the video, the automobile was proper on the left hand facet,’ stated one man who had simply crossed over along with his household.

‘When the explosion occurred, we heard it like a loud growth. I heard it however I did not suppose it was one thing severe. Someone stated “oh my god, the car exploded.’

Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc called the unfolding issue a ‘very serious situation.’

He said: ‘This is obviously a very serious situation. We’re taking this circumstance very seriously but to speculate on the origin of this particular circumstance – the reasons why this may have happened – until we have more accurate information is simply not responsible.’

According to Fox News correspondent Alexis McAdams, high-level police sources believe the vehicle explosion was an attempted terrorist attack.

It’s understood that the car was full of explosives, McAdams stated.

The City of Niagara Falls says the explosion came from a car that was trying to enter the US from Canada.

It comes simply days after intelligence reported that there was an elevated threat of terror in New York City.

In a statement, the field office said: ‘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 is coordinating with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in this investigation.

‘As this case could be very fluid, that is all we will say at the moment.’

We will keep you up to date with the latest news after a car exploded on Rainbow Bridge.