In this picture taken from safety video, a light-colored automobile (prime middle) flies over a fence into the Rainbow Bridge customs plaza on Wednesday in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection through AP

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection through AP

In this picture taken from safety video, a light-colored automobile (prime middle) flies over a fence into the Rainbow Bridge customs plaza on Wednesday in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection through AP

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul mentioned there was no signal of terrorist exercise in relation to the automobile explosion at a checkpoint that closed the Rainbow Bridge on the Canadian border and left two individuals lifeless.

During a late afternoon information convention Wednesday, Hochul mentioned two individuals within the automobile died when it crashed close to the bridge on the U.S. facet of the border. She described the driving force as a neighborhood resident of western New York.

“I want to be very, very clear to Americans and New Yorkers, at this time there is no indication of a terrorist attack,” Hochul mentioned.

The governor mentioned state and federal investigators are “still analyzing” the scene and “it is still unfolding,” however that the general public does not should be anxious.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection released a security video of the incident.

A CPB worker who was working in one of many cubicles had minor accidents, Hochul mentioned, including that particles from the crash was scattered round 13 or 14 cubicles. The worker has been handled and launched from the hospital, CPB informed NPR.

The Rainbow Bridge stays closed as a result of investigation, however three different bridges linking the U.S. with Canada have since reopened.

Law enforcement personnel block off the doorway to the Rainbow Bridge border crossing on Wednesday in Niagara Falls, N.Y., after a automobile exploded at a checkpoint.

Carolyn Thompson/AP

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Carolyn Thompson/AP

Law enforcement personnel block off the doorway to the Rainbow Bridge border crossing on Wednesday in Niagara Falls, N.Y., after a automobile exploded at a checkpoint.

Carolyn Thompson/AP

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a post on X (previously often called Twitter) that the FBI had briefed him on the incident.

“Initial reports indicate the two people killed were in the car but nothing’s been determined on their identity or motive,” he mentioned. “They continue to investigate—law enforcement remains on heightened alert over Thanksgiving.”

The FBI said it’s investigating a “vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge” and is coordinating with native, state and federal legislation enforcement companions. The FBI added that the state of affairs “is very fluid,” but it surely didn’t embrace additional particulars.

It was not instantly clear what triggered the explosion.

President Biden has been briefed on the explosion and he and his workforce are carefully following developments, in accordance with a White House press pool report.

Earlier, Hochul said on X that New York State Police was “actively working” with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and can proceed to observe all factors of entry to New York.

Hochul says she is touring to Buffalo to satisfy with legislation enforcement and emergency responders and can replace New Yorkers when extra data turns into accessible.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in the House of Commons that “this is a very serious situation.”

“We are taking this extremely seriously,” Trudeau mentioned briefly earlier than he left to obtain an replace on the state of affairs.

Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc mentioned throughout a briefing that his authorities is receiving common updates from U.S. authorities, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the border service businesses.

Officers with the New York Police Department have been deployed to assist efforts on the Rainbow Bridge, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said on X.

“Our number one priority is, and always will be, the safety of New Yorkers,” Adams mentioned.

The Buffalo Niagara International Airport says that whereas the airport is totally operational, it’s growing safety system-wide following the automobile explosion — saying that vehicles coming into the Buffalo Airport will bear safety checks, as vacationers can anticipate extra screenings.

“We advise travelers to give themselves time for these extra precautions in addition to holiday travel,” according to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, which runs the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

Jason Abrams, a spokesperson for Amtrak, informed NPR that the corporate has briefly suspended cross-border service between New York state and Toronto.

Police in Toronto say they were increasing patrols throughout town out of an abundance of warning and there are not any identified threats for town of Toronto.

A Justice Department spokeswoman informed NPR that Attorney General Merrick Garland has been briefed on the automobile explosion.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives mentioned it was sending personnel to the positioning.

Doug Ford — the premier of Ontario — mentioned in a post on X: “Our provincial law enforcement is actively engaged in assessing the situation. They are working with local law enforcement and are providing support as required.”

Follow protection from our member station WBFO.