Two Dead At Rainbow Bridge As Car Explodes Near Niagara Falls

There has reportedly been a fatal accident at the border crossing between Canada and the United States. 

A vehicle crashed into a checkpoint structure at Rainbow Bridge, which resulted in a massive explosion and led to the death of two individuals in the car.

According to a report, the car was moving at a very high speed when it crashed into the checkpoint structure, ignited, and eventually exploded. 

An early search by law enforcement officers found that there were no secondary explosives in the vehicle, but this is preliminary information, pending a proper investigation into the accident.

After the shocking incident, all western New York bridge crossings into the United States were shut down. The car involved in the accident was reportedly headed for the U.S., per the Erie County Sheriff's Office.

Besides the two individuals in the car who lost their lives, a Customs and Border Protection officer also suffered minor injuries because of the accident. But it reportedly did not require them to get hospitalized.

Shortly after the incident, Gov. Kathy Hochul released a statement saying she was aware of the accident and explosion at Rainbow Bridge and was on her way to Buffalo to meet with the authorities. 

Hochul also noted that the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force was working in tandem with the New York State Police to ensure proper surveillance of all entry points into the U.S.

"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," Hochul wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, also issued a statement on the matter, assuring that there has been increased security and that the "city is on heightened alert due to the upcoming holiday."

Adams added, "We have also reached out to, and are in ongoing communication with, partners from across different levels of government to assist with this effort. Our number one priority is, and always will be, the safety of New Yorkers."