Vehicle explodes at bridge connecting New York and Canada

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Bridges between New York State and Canada have been closed after a vehicle exploded at a checkpoint on a bridge near Niagara Falls.

The FBI’s field office in Buffalo said in a statement that it was investigating the explosion on the Rainbow Bridge, which connects the two countries across the Niagara River.

Photos and video taken by news organizations and posted on social media showed a security booth surrounded by flaming debris.

Further information wasn’t immediately available.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said she had been briefed on the incident and was “closely monitoring the situation.”

The Rainbow Bridge is one of four border crossings connecting Ontario to western New York.

The others are Lewiston, Whirlpool and Peace Bridge. The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission reports all four crossings are closed.

🚨#BREAKING: A vehicle entering a toll booth at Rainbow Bridge has caused a large explosion to go off, prompting evacuations.⁰⁰📌#NiagaraFalls | #Canada

Currently, multiple authorities and emergency personnel are on the scene, with evacuations underway after a vehicle… pic.twitter.com/CGJnKIm6u5

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) November 22, 2023

BREAKING: Large explosion reported at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls at the Canada-U.S. Border. pic.twitter.com/yaJgs0k5Ao

— The Canadian Independent (@canindependent) November 22, 2023