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The FBI is investigating a vehicle explosion Wednesday at the border crossing between Canada and the United States after a vehicle crashed into the checkpoint structure at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, four senior law enforcement officials briefed on the matter said.
The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed when it hit the structure, caught on fire and exploded. An initial search did not find a secondary explosive or device, the law enforcement officials said, noting this was preliminary information.
The officials say there were two casualties involving the occupants of the vehicle. A Customs and Border Protection officer also suffered minor injuries that did not require hospitalization, a senior law enforcement official said.
Authorities are investigating whether the crash was intentional.
All western New York bridge crossings into the U.S. were shut down following the incident, the Erie County executive said. The vehicle was headed into the U.S., the Erie County Sheriff’s Office said.
Several emergency vehicles were at the entrance of the bridge and federal authorities were investigating, NBC affiliate WGRZ of Buffalo reported.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said she was aware of the incident and is traveling to Buffalo to meet with law enforcement officials. She said New York State Police will be actively working with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force to monitor all points of entry into the state.
“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,” she said in a post on X.
The White House is also closely monitoring the situation, an official said. The Canada Border Services Agency said it was “liaising with our U.S. counterparts on this matter.”
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority said it would be increasing security systemwide. Travelers at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport should expect additional screenings and vehicles coming into the airport will undergo security checks, it said.
“The Buffalo and Niagara Falls Airports are fully operational. We advise travelers to give themselves time for these extra precautions in addition to holiday travel,” the agency said in a post on X.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Ken Dilanian contributed.
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