22 November 2023 , 21:32
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Dramatic new pictures show the charred remains of a Niagara Falls border crossing post after an explosion rang out on Rainbow Bridge today.
A car was reportedly trying to drive towards a border office building at over 100mph when it swerved to avoid hitting another vehicle. The car hit a fence before it went up in the air and exploded. Police sources told how it was initially feared to be a car bomb and attempted terror attack - but this has since been disproven by New York government officials.
While sources initially described the explosion as an attempted terror attack, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has tonight told a press conference there was "no indication of a terrorist attack". She added: "Based on what we know at this moment....there is no sign of terrorist activity in this crash."
The nearby border post was left surrounded by debris from the explosion and smoke from the fires. Footage from the scene shows smoke and fire blanketing the area. Two people who were reportedly in the car were pronounced dead and a border agent was injured.
The post was near where the car exploded (One Niagara Welcome Center)
Two people died and one officer was injured (One Niagara Welcome Center)The FBI confirmed its joint terrorism task force was investigating the situation.
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An FBI spokesperson said: "The FBI Buffalo Field Office is investigating a vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge, a border crossing between the US and Canada in Niagara Falls. The FBI is coordinating with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in this investigation. As this situation is very fluid, that’s all we can say at this time."
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she was "closely monitoring the situation." She also tweeted: "At my direction, @nyspolice is actively working with the @FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force to monitor all points of entry to New York. I am travelling to Buffalo to meet with law enforcement & emergency responders & will update New Yorkers when more information becomes available."
The FBI is investigating (Fox News)All government buildings in the area have been evacuated and all border crossings between Canada and New York have been closed in both directions.
Fox News also reported that a 27-year-old man was taken to Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital suffering from cuts on his body and pain in his back. However, this is the only news agency to report it as no one else has confirmed it.
Photos show the destroyed border post (Getty Images)Mike Guenther and his wife reportedly witnessed the explosion. He was interviewed by WGRZ-TV and shared what he saw.
"All of a sudden he went up in the air and then it was like a ball of fire, like 30, 40 feet high," Guenther said, "I never saw anything like it."