A car exploded on the border between the USA and Canada – the two occupants were killed, according to media reports. The cause is unclear. Out of caution, the authorities closed other border crossings.
According to media reports, two people were killed when a car exploded on the US-Canadian border near Niagara Falls. According to the news channels CNN and Fox News, which rely on police sources, the vehicle should have been checked more closely after an initial inspection. The car is said to have accelerated, crashed into a barrier and exploded. The two occupants of the car are dead, CNN and Fox News reported. There should therefore be no further victims.
Eyewitness Mike Guenther told television station WGRZ-TV that he saw a vehicle speeding toward the border crossing from the U.S. side of the border as it tried to avoid another car. Then it hit a fence and exploded. “All of a sudden it blew up, and then it was a fireball about 30 or 40 feet high,” Guenther told the station. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
FBI takes over investigation
The cause of the explosion was initially unclear. Photos showed rubble and a heavy police presence at the border crossing on the Rainbow Bridge between the US state of New York and the Canadian province of Ontario. Photos and videos taken by bystanders and posted on social media showed thick smoke, flames on the sidewalk and a security booth scorched by flames.
Both New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and the US Federal Police FBI confirmed the incident near Niagara Falls. The FBI launched an investigation and spoke of a “very uncertain” situation. The state police are working together with the FBI’s terrorism unit to monitor all access routes to New York, said Governor Hochul. Three other bridges to Canada in western New York state were also initially closed, the authorities said. Security precautions have been increased at other border crossings and at some airports.
Trudeau: “Very serious situation”
The White House said US President Joe Biden had been informed of the incident. He and his team followed developments closely.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told parliament in Ottawa that it was a “very serious situation”. They are in close contact with the US authorities. “Additional measures” would be considered at border crossings across Canada. In Toronto, which is about 160 kilometers from Niagara Falls, police announced increased patrols as a precaution.