Summary

  • A vehicle has exploded at a bridge between US and Canada, near Niagara Falls

  • Two people inside the vehicle died in the explosion

  • But New York Governor Kathy Hochul says there is "no sign of terrorist activity with respect to this crash"

  • A US Customs and Border Protection officer was also injured in the blast and was transported to hospital, the BBC understands

  • Witnesses have described seeing a car approaching the bridge at high speed, followed by a large explosion

  • Rainbow bridge is in Niagara Falls and crosses the Niagara River as a main connection route between the US and Canada

  • FBI and police are investigating and multiple roads in the area have been closed

Live Reporting

Edited by Brandon Livesay

  1. What we know about Niagara car explosion

    Border crossings closed after vehicle explosion on a bridge connecting US and CanadaAssociated Press

    We are still waiting for authorities to give more specific details about the situation. But here is what we know so far:

    • A vehicle exploded on a bridge in Niagara, which connects the US and Canada
    • Two people in the car have been confirmed dead by CBS News, BBC's US partner
    • An eyewitness from Ontario, Mike Guenther, says he saw a car speed by at 100mph (160km/h) and it flew into the air, then erupted into a "fire ball"
    • There is a travel delay and multiple border crossings and highways have been closed
    • Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been briefed on the situation and the White House said it was monitoring the situation

  2. Eyewitness: Car exploded 'like a fireball'

    'Just a fireball': Witness describes seeing vehicle explode

    Mike Guenther from Ontario was walking with his wife near Rainbow Bridge when he saw a car "flying" past.

    "Like over 100 miles per hour. We could hardly even see him he was going that quick," Guenther tells local media.

    According to Guenther, the car sped towards the border in the direction of Canada, swerving to avoid another vehicle in front of it.

    The vehicle hit a fence, Guenther says, "and went flying up into the air".

    "Then we just saw the fire ball," he says, as the car appeared to explode.

    "I’ve never seen anything like this," he says.

    A quick note, we've heard conflicting reports about which direction the car was driving towards.

  3. In photos: Rainbow Bridge car explosion site

    Images show the border crossing heavily damaged by the explosion.

    Both US and Canadian authorities have so far offered very little specifics on what has happened, other than a car exploded.

    Image showing area of the Rainbow Bridge explosionReuters
    Image showing area of the Rainbow Bridge explosionReuters
    Law enforcement around the site of the Rainbow Bridge explosionReuters

  4. Canada considers 'additional measures' at border, says Trudeau

    Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau speaks to Parliament about the Niagara car explosionReuters

    Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau speaks to Parliament about the Niagara car explosion

    Canada is considering "additional measures" to secure border crossings across the country, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said.

    Speaking to Canada's parliament, Trudeau said the extra security steps could be added at "all" of Canada's points of entry.

    So far, four crossings - all in the Buffalo area - are closed.

    Trudeau said the government would "continue to be engaged" and provide updates.

    After the brief update, Trudeau left parliament.

  5. Canadian minister says too early to 'speculate' on causes of blast

    Canadian officials are receiving "contradictory information" about the incident on the Rainbow Bridge, according to Dominic LeBlanc, the country's minister of public safety.

    LeBlanc adds that Canada is so far unable to confirm where the car came from.

    He says it would be "simply not responsible" to "speculate" on what exactly happened.

    "This is obviously a very serious situation," he says, adding that Canadian agencies are doing all they can to ensure the public is safe.

    He adds that he expects to speak to his US counterparts from the Department of Homeland Security shortly.

  6. Two people dead at Canada border crossing
    Breaking

    Two people have died at the Canada-US border, according to BBC's US partner CBS.

    Multiple law enforcement sources told CBS that two people died inside the vehicle that exploded at border crossing between New York and Canada.

    Sources told CBS that it appears at this point to have been a deliberate act. But no motives or identities have been confirmed.

  7. Sniffer dogs and evacuations near site

    Holly Honderich
    US reporter

    An employee of a Niagara hotel, just two blocks from the Rainbow Bridge on the US side told the BBC that authorities had begun evacuating certain areas around the site.

    Her hotel remains open, she said, but more of the street keeps getting closed.

    Sniffer dogs have begun combing the area.

    "I'm feeling anxious," she said, before hanging up to speak with hotel guests.

  8. US official: still unknown why car exploded

    It is still unclear what caused a car to explode at the Rainbow Bridge, a senior US official told CBS, the BBC's US partner.

    The official said the car involved was travelling at a highs peed before it crashed into a pylon. It then exploded.

    The explosion, the official added, could have been the result of the crash - or something else.

    The US official said the car was travelling from Canada towards the US.

  9. Canadian police urge border-crossers to 'delay travel'

    Canadian officials are in the process of closing Highway 405 and several other bridges in the area, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

    In the video, an officer from the OPP said the Fort Erie Peace Bridge that goes into the US city of Buffalo is also closed, and that the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge will also be closed soon.

    “You can expect heavy delays in the Niagara area,” the officer said. “If you are planning on crossing the border, please delay travel until we know those highways and closures have re-opened”.

  10. In photos: law enforcement rush to the scene

    These images from CBS, BBC's US news partner, show law enforcement near the scene at the US-Canada border.

    It's the day before Thanksgiving, a major US holiday, and one of the busiest travel days of the year.

    Scene of the explosion at Rainbow Bridge in NiagaraCBS
    Law enforcement near the scene of an explosion at the US-Canada borderCBS

  11. New York's Governor on her way to Buffalo

    a police car near where an explosion occurred on the US-Canada borderCBS

    New York Governor Kathy Hochul is on her way to Buffalo to meet with authorities responding to the explosion.

    In a statement, Hochul said she has directed New York State Police to work with the FBI to “monitor all points of entry” into the state.

    She added that her office will provide more information as it becomes available.

    In a separate statement, New York Senator Chuck Schumer said that he is “closely monitoring” the situation at the bridge.

    “Follow guidance from emergency officials,” he said.

  12. Security increased at Buffalo, Niagara airports

    Buffalo Niagara International Airport has increased security checks on cars in the wake of the explosion at the nearby Rainbow Bridge.

    In a statement, the airport said that “cars coming into the Buffalo Airport will undergo security checks and travelers can expect additional screenings”.

    “The Buffalo and Niagara Falls airports are fully operational,” the statement added.

    “We advise travellers to give themselves time for these extra precautions in addition to holiday travel”.

  13. Vehicle explodes on bridge between US and Canada

    A vehicle has exploded on a bridge that connects the US and Canada near the Niagara Falls, according to the FBI.

    The incident took place on the Rainbow Bridge one day before the Thanksgiving holiday in the US, one of the busiest travel days of the year.

    "As this situation is fluid, this is all we can say at this time," the FBI said in a statement.

    According to the city of Niagara Falls, the vehicle was attempting to enter the US when it exploded.

    All crossings are currently closed until further notice, officials say.

    Stay with us as we bring you the latest updates.