On Wednesday, a high-speed vehicle collided and burst into flames on the bridge connecting New York state and Ontario at Niagara Falls. Tragically, the incident resulted in the loss of two lives within the vehicle and prompted heightened security measures, leading to the closure of four border crossings between the United States and Canada.
Several hours later, federal and state authorities announced that their investigation revealed no signs of a terrorist act. However, the details surrounding the crash on the Rainbow Bridge remained unclear. The nature of the incident, whether it was accidental or intentional, is yet to be determined.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul assured reporters on Wednesday evening that, as of now, there is no indication of a terrorist attack or any threat to the public. This sentiment was reiterated by federal and local law enforcement officials during a different news conference.
The FBI, in a statement, confirmed the conclusion of its investigation. According to the statement posted on X, a thorough examination of the scene uncovered no explosive materials, and the FBI did not identify any terrorism-related connection.
Footage of the collision, captured by a security camera, was shared on X by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency. The video depicted the car speeding from the U.S. side, colliding with an object, soaring into the air, and subsequently crashing to the ground, erupting in flames.
The driver and a passenger lost their lives in the accident, while a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer sustained minor injuries. The officer received medical attention at a hospital and was subsequently discharged, as confirmed by an agency official.
The identities of the two individuals who lost their lives were not disclosed by authorities. According to CNN, the driver, a 56-year-old man, was reportedly traveling with his wife in a Bentley to attend a concert by the rock group KISS. The scheduled performance of the band in Toronto on Wednesday, part of their farewell tour, was canceled due to the flu affecting one of its members, Paul Stanley.
According to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) website, the Buffalo Niagara International Airport was reported as closed. However, Governor Hochul stated that there were no disruptions despite this information.
