NEW YORK: Border crossings between the United States and Canada near Niagara Falls were closed on Wednesday as terrorism investigators responded to a vehicle explosion at Rainbow Bridge.

Two people were killed in the blast, according to US media citing authorities. Their identities were not clear. The cause of the incident was not known, but New York governor Kathy Hochul said state police and the FBI were monitoring all points of entry into the state.

According to law enforcement sources, there were two people in the car, which had passed through one border checkpoint where it was selected for a secondary check.

The car then sped up, crashed into a barrier and exploded, one of the sources said, stressing it was unclear if the blast was the result of a device.

“I am traveling to Buffalo to meet law enforcement and emergency responders and will update New Yorkers when more information becomes available,” Hochul posted on social media.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the vehicle explosion represents “a very serious situation”.

“This is obviously a very serious situation at Niagara Falls. There was a vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge crossing,” he told the House of Commons.

Witnesses reported hearing a deafening explosion and seeing a large cloud of smoke near the inspection station.

Ivan Vitalii, a visitor from Ukraine, told the Niagara Gazette he and a friend were at a nearby convenience store on the US side when they saw a car exit a parking lot and travel toward the bridge.

“We heard something smash,” he said. “We saw fire and big, black smoke.”

Ron Rienas, an official of a civic agency, told ABC News all four bridges connecting the two countries over the Niagara River have been closed.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2023