A worrying explosion at a U.S. border crossing stoked terrorism fears

Two people were killed and four international bridge crossings between Canada and the United States were closed on November 22nd after a vehicle exploded and set off fears of a terrorist attack at the Niagara Falls International Rainbow Bridge border crossing. 

CBS News reported that the four international crossings between the U.S. and Canada had been closed out of an abundance of caution as investigators responded to the incident and worked to decipher how a vehicle went airborne. 

“I want to be very, very clear to Americans and New Yorkers,” New York State Governor Kathy Hochul told reporters in the aftermath of the incident at the border according to CNN, “at this time there is no indication of a terrorist attack.”

Photo Credit: Flicker @govkathyhochul

U.S. Attorney Trini Ross also explained to New Yorkers that there had not been a terrorist attack at the Rainbow Bridge, noting that preliminary investigations showed “it was not terrorism related” before promising to remain a vigilante. 

The incident occurred just before noon Eastern Standard Time and security footage released by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the agency’s official X account showed a brief view of what transpired at the crossing. 

Screenshot from X (Twitter) @CBP

In the security footage, what looked to be a white sedan can be seen speeding in the top left-hand corner of the video before it launches into the air out of view. Further details on what occurred have yet to be released to the public.

Screenshot from X (Twitter) @CBP

“We didn’t know if it was a terrorist attack or not at the beginning,” Erie County Sheriff John Garcia said according to a CNN report. “However, every precaution… was taken to ensure the safety of the community.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Matthew Miraglia noted that the person being looked into for being responsible for the incident likely didn’t have any nefarious purpose in mind, adding: “We feel, at this point, this might be just something that occurred.”

Agent Miraglia added that his comments were still based on a preliminary assessment of the incident but did say the person of interest’s social media accounts did not reveal any derogatory information about the individual. 

The car involved in the incident was believed to have been a 2022 Bently two-door coupe according to individuals familiar with the investigation who spoke with CNN. Onlookers who saw the incident occur have also shared their stories. 

Photo by Alek Olson on Unsplash

"I first thought it was an airplane," Rickie Wilson, an employee with Gray Line Tours, told Rochester NBC News affiliate WHEC. "And I said, 'My God, it's a car and it's a vehicle and it's flying through the air.” 

Screenshot from X (Twitter) @CBP

Wilson estimated that the car flew into the air ten to fifteen feet. "I mean how did it get up there? I mean this thing was up in the air," Wilson said. "I know it sounds like I'm crazy, but the car was airborne and not three or four feet, I mean it was up there."

One U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent was injured in the incident and treated at the hospital before being released. The two people traveling inside the vehicle were killed according to NBC News. 

“This vehicle basically incinerated,” Governor Hochul said. “Nothing is left but the engine. The pieces are scattered over 13, 14 booths,” Governor Hochul said about the condition of the vehicle and the booth it hit during her press conference. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commented on the incident in Canada’s parliament, saying: “We’re taking this incident extremely seriously,” according to a New York Times article that noted both national capitals had been ruled by the incident. 

“When you look at the scale of the scene, at how far the pieces of this vehicle exploded and scattered and the fact that there has been some damage to other vehicles, thank God there was nobody else injured,” Governor Hochul told reporters.