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Rainbow Bridge: No evidence crash, explosion was terrorist attack, Gov. say
On November 22, 2023, an incident occurred at the Rainbow Bridge, which connects the U.S. to Canada at Niagara Falls, New York.
A vehicle sped toward a U.S. border checkpoint, hit a booth, exploded, and went airborne.
The driver and passenger of the vehicle were killed in the incident. One booth agent was injured but later released from the hospital.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that there is no evidence suggesting a terrorist attack, and there were no indications of explosives found at the scene.
Governor Hochul described the incident as surreal, with the vehicle going airborne after the explosion, prompting her to consider if it was generated by artificial intelligence (A.I.).
The investigation faces challenges due to the destruction of much of the vehicle, scattered debris over 13 booths, and the absence of a license plate.
As a precaution, all four Canada-U.S. bridges over the Niagara River, including the Rainbow Bridge, have been closed. The Buffalo Niagara International Airport increased security measures.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the explosion, and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas stated that the incident does not appear to be terror-related.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau informed the country's parliament, stating that they are taking the incident seriously and considering additional measures at all border crossings.
The investigation is expected to take time, and authorities are treating a suitcase or briefcase found at the scene as a possible explosive device as a precaution.