New York (ANTARA) — The Buffalo Field Office of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the car explosion incident that occurred Wednesday (11/22) morning local time at the U.S.-Canada border bridge in Niagara Falls, the FBI said.
“As the situation remains uncertain, this is all we can provide at this time,” the FBI said in a statement.
The incident killed two people in the car that was heading from Canada to the United States and eventually exploded on the Rainbow Bridge, the Canada-U.S. border crossing at Niagara Falls, according to media reports. A border officer was injured.
New York State Police are actively coordinating with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force to monitor all ports of entry into New York, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul said in a separate statement.
Four border crossings in the Niagara Falls area have been closed, while security screenings at Buffalo Niagara International Airport have been increased.
“At this time, the Rainbow Bridge is closed in both directions in Niagara Falls,” said Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Kerry Schmidt, adding that the Peace Bridge, the Canada-U.S. border bridge at Fort Erie, is also closed in both directions.
Canadian government officials suspect the incident is linked to terrorism and are trying to determine if it is an isolated incident, Canadian media reported.
On Wednesday afternoon local time, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he had been briefed on the situation by Canada’s national security and intelligence advisers.
“We are in contact with American officials. The Minister of Public Safety, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), as well as the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) are fully involved and providing all necessary support,” Trudeau said.
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