The FBI is investigating a vehicle explosion that left two dead and one injured at a border crossing between the United States and Canada near Niagara Falls, one of the points with the highest tourist demand for both countries and at the beginning of the holiday weekend. for the Thanksgiving celebrations. Both Canadian and United States authorities consider the incident a “very serious” situation that is being investigated.
The explosion occurred at the Rainbow Bridge, one of four border crossings in western New York State, shortly after noon on Wednesday. According to sources cited by CNN, authorities on the US side observed a car coming from Canada that exploded on its way to a second border checkpoint.
At the moment it is unknown what the reason for the explosion is, but media outlets such as Fox are already talking about a terrorist attack, according to sources cited by the conservative network, a fact that neither Washington nor Ottawa has confirmed. Journalist Alexis McAdams has indicated that there were explosives inside the car and that the objective was to crash the vehicle into the US border patrol building.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that this is “a very serious situation” in line with the words of his Minister of Public Security, Dominic LeBlanc, who indicated that they are considering additional security measures.
The White House, for its part, has confirmed that they are “closely monitoring” what happened and that President Joe Biden, who is in Massachusetts celebrating Thanksgiving with his family, is aware of what is happening in the border.
In addition to the two deceased who were traveling in the alleged car bomb, it is known that the explosion has left one injured, a 27-year-old border patrol agent who was transferred to the Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital.
The FBI field office in Buffalo indicated through social media that the agency was coordinating with local, state and federal authorities to investigate the case while New York State Governor Kathy Hochul noted that the State Police is working with the FBI to monitor all entry points into the State.
The remaining international crossings are open and on alert, according to a spokesperson for the governor’s office, while area airports and rail facilities have increased security. There are also additional explosives detective dogs and police patrols, and additional screening is being implemented at Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
The arrival of international flights has been paralyzed for the moment after the incident and the vehicles entering the terminals are being subject to greater scrutiny. Authorities have also warned that passengers should be prepared “for stricter security checks,” according to CNN.
The event occurs after the increase in the alert level of the US authorities in various parts of the country as a result of the conflict between Israel and Hamas and the fear of an attack on US soil. Biden has shown his unconditional support for Israel after the October 7 attacks that left more than a thousand dead. FBI Director Christopher Wray warned of this possibility on October 31.
“We believe that the actions of Hamas and its allies will serve as an inspiration like we have not seen since ISIS launched its so-called caliphate years ago,” he said.
