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2023 Rainbow Bridge explosion

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Coordinates: 43°5′17.7″N 79°3′50.8″W / 43.088250°N 79.064111°W / 43.088250; -79.064111
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Rainbow Bridge explosion
Security camera footage of the car crashing into the border checkpoint (background)
DateNovember 22, 2023; 11 months ago (2023-11-22)
LocationRainbow Bridge,
Niagara Falls, New York,
United States
Coordinates43°5′17.7″N 79°3′50.8″W / 43.088250°N 79.064111°W / 43.088250; -79.064111
TypeVehicle explosion
Deaths2
Non-fatal injuries1

On November 22, 2023, a car crashed and exploded at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing in Niagara Falls, New York along the Canada–United States border, killing two occupants in the vehicle and injuring a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer.

Background

The explosion occurred one day before the American observation of Thanksgiving, a period of heightened travel in the United States.[1]

Explosion

On November 22, 2023, at approximately 11:22 a.m.,[2] a white Bentley exploded at the Rainbow Bridge.[3] According to several law enforcement sources, the driver entered the bridge plaza from the United States side of the bridge at a high speed.[4] Eyewitnesses said that the vehicle then crashed into the checkpoint structure, resulting in a fire and explosion.[5]

Aftermath

The Buffalo Niagara International Airport increased security checks.[6][7] The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission closed all four border crossings in the Niagara Falls area—Rainbow Bridge, Peace Bridge, Lewiston–Queenston Bridge and Whirlpool Bridge.[8] Amtrak temporarily suspended their cross-border services between New York and Ontario.[9]

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority is coordinating its response with the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.[10] The Joint Terrorism Task Force and New York State Police are monitoring all points of entry into New York.[11]

Investigation

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canada Border Services Agency investigated the incident.[12][13]

According to Reuters, a preliminary assessment determined that the explosion was likely caused by a reckless driver.[14] No explosive devices were immediately found, according to The New York Times.[15]

Reactions

United States

The White House is "closely monitoring" the incident.[16] President Joe Biden was briefed according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre;[17] Biden was in Nantucket, Massachusetts for Thanksgiving.[16] Transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg was briefed about the explosion and spoke with Canadian Transportation Agency chair France Pégeot.[18] Attorney General Merrick Garland was briefed according to the Department of Justice.[19]

Canada

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau informed the House of Commons at the beginning of Question Period that the explosion was a "very serious situation" and departed for further briefing.[20] Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc has been working alongside U.S. authorities, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and border service agencies.[8] The Toronto Police Service increased patrols around the city "out of an abundance of caution".[21]

References

  1. ^ Barrett, Devlin (November 22, 2023). "The Rainbow Bridge incident comes on one of America's busiest travel days and as security officials have expressed heightened concerns about possible attacks". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  2. ^ Murphy, Paul (November 22, 2023). "Surveillance camera video shows moment of vehicle explosion at Rainbow Bridge". CNN. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  3. ^ "FBI probing vehicle explosion attack at US-Canada bridge near Niagara Falls". Reuters. November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  4. ^ Miller, John (November 22, 2023). "Vehicle exploded after accelerating at a high rate of speed, sources say". CNN. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  5. ^ DeGeorge, Kim; Adams, Saundra; Beilein, Olivia (November 22, 2023). "2 dead following explosion at Rainbow Bridge". wgrz.com. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  6. ^ "Security increased at Buffalo, Niagara airports". BBC News. November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  7. ^ "Buffalo airport closed to international flights after explosion at US-Canada border - US FAA". Reuters. November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Franklin, Jonathan (November 22, 2023). "Vehicle explosion at Rainbow Bridge closes U.S.-Canada border crossings". NPR. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  9. ^ Muntean, Pete (November 22, 2023). "Amtrak temporarily suspends routes connecting New York and Canada, spokesperson says". CNN. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  10. ^ Souza, Sabrina (November 22, 2023). "All vehicles being screened at Buffalo airport in response to the Rainbow Bridge incident, official says". CNN. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  11. ^ Tebor, Celina (November 22, 2023). "FBI joint terrorism task force working with state authorities to monitor all points of entry to New York". CNN. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  12. ^ Collaco, Conrad; Chandler, Justin; Beattie, Samantha (November 22, 2023). "2 dead after blast at Rainbow Bridge linking Ontario-N.Y., governor says 'no sign' of terrorism". CBC.ca.
  13. ^ Tebor, Celina; Miller, John; Perez, Evan (November 22, 2023). "FBI investigating vehicle explosion that killed 2 car occupants at Rainbow Bridge on US-Canadian border". CNN. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  14. ^ "Explosion at US-Canada border caused by reckless driver". Reuters. November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  15. ^ Meko, Hurubie (November 22, 2023). "2 Dead in Vehicle Explosion at U.S.-Canada Bridge in Niagara Falls". The New York Times. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  16. ^ a b Saenz, Arlette (November 22, 2023). "White House closely monitoring Rainbow Bridge incident, official says". CNN. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  17. ^ Klein, Betsy (November 22, 2023). "Biden briefed on bridge incident, White House says". CNN. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  18. ^ Rempfer, Kyle (November 22, 2023). "Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said he has been briefed about the explosion, "and am in touch with my Canadian counterpart."". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  19. ^ Perez, Evan (November 22, 2023). "US attorney general briefed on vehicle explosion at the US-Canada border, Justice Department says". CNN. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  20. ^ Coletta, Amanda. "In Ottawa, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the Canadian Parliament that the incident on the bridge was "a very serious situation" and said officials are working "to get answers as rapidly as possible."". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  21. ^ Razek, Raja (November 22, 2023). "Toronto police increase patrols throughout city "out of an abundance of caution"". CNN. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
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