Vehicle explodes on bridge between US and Canada

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A vehicle has exploded on a bridge that connects the US and Canada near the Niagara Falls, according to the FBI.

The incident took place on the Rainbow Bridge one day before the Thanksgiving holiday in the US, one of the busiest travel days of the year.

"As this situation is fluid, this is all we can say at this time," the FBI said in a statement.

According to the city of Niagara Falls, the incident involved a vehicle that was "coming into" the US.

The incident took place just around 11:30 local time (16:30GMT).

A senior law enforcement official told CBS News, the BBC's US partner, that the car was coming from Canada and crashed into a pylon at a high rate of speed. Canadian officials said that has not been confirmed.

The investigation is being headed by the FBI.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to CBS, also said it is too early to say what caused the vehicle to explode.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul posted on X, formerly Twitter that "state agencies are on site and ready to assist" in the federal investigation.

"I am traveling to Buffalo to meet with law enforcement and emergency responders and will update New Yorkers when more information becomes available," she added.

The bridge connects Ontario with New York and links the cities of Niagara Falls, US with Niagara Falls, Canada.

In addition to the Rainbow Bridge, the incident has led to the closure of three other international border crossings in the region.

The Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, Whirlpool Bridge, and Rainbow Bridge are also closed in both directions, officials say.

Witnesses told the Niagara Gazette newspaper that they heard what sounded like an explosion and a cloud of smoke shortly before police arrived.

"We heard something smash," one witness said. "We saw fire and big, black smoke."

Canada's Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc told journalists in Ottawa that "we are working closely with American counterparts".

"This is a rapidly changing situation," he added.

Security officials at the Buffalo airport, located 20 miles (32km) from the bridge, announced that they were increasing security checks due to the incident.

"Cars coming into the Buffalo airport will undergo security checks and travelers can expect additional screenings," airport security officials said, adding that both the Buffalo and Niagara Falls airports "are fully operational".

BBC News
 
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So, bets guys, electric vehicle batteries going up, terrorism, or a standard car fire?
Honestly I need to wait for the information, the way it's not publicized highly this could just be a bad day in traffic.
It could be many things to be quite honest the fact I'm not hearing bodies and massive casualties makes me lean on this was one of those situations where you had some time to get out of dodge.
 
Canadians mad they don't have a day dedicated to stuffing their faces with delicious spreads of roasted birds, savory stuffing, succulent gravy, mashed taters, sweet cranberry sauce, homemade bread and more. God Bless America.
We do it at the start of October.

Ninja'ed but I have no idea what the thread tax would be in this case.

Uh... Canada has the cool U shaped falls not just a boring line.
 
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