2023 Rainbow Bridge explosion

Rainbow Bridge explosion

File:2023-11-22 Rainbow bridge crash CBP security camera (cropped).webm Security camera footage of the car crashing into the border checkpoint (background)
Time	c. 11:22 a.m. (EST)
Date	November 22, 2023 (2023-11-22)
Location	Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls, New York, U.S.
Coordinates
Type	Vehicle explosion
Deaths	2
Non-fatal injuries	1

On November 22, 2023, a car crashed and exploded at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing in Niagara Falls, New York along the Canada–United States border, killing two occupants in the vehicle and injuring a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer.

Background

The explosion occurred one day before the American observation of Thanksgiving, a period of heightened travel in the United States. Fears of a terror attack had been heightened in New York following a report by the New York State Intelligence Center highlighting increased chatter about an attack within the state due to the ongoing Israel–Hamas War causing a rise of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Western sentiment. A police source had also stated that the incident could have been a result of a terrorist attack, but this was later denied in a police statement.

Explosion

On November 22, 2023, at approximately 11:22 a.m., a white Bentley exploded at the Rainbow Bridge. According to several law enforcement sources, the driver entered the bridge plaza from the United States side of the bridge at a high speed. Eyewitnesses said that the vehicle then crashed into the checkpoint structure, resulting in a fire and explosion.

Aftermath

The Buffalo Niagara International Airport increased security checks. All four border crossings in the region—the Rainbow Bridge, Peace Bridge, Lewiston–Queenston Bridge and Whirlpool Bridge—were closed. All bridges except for the Rainbow Bridge were reopened later in the day. Amtrak temporarily suspended their cross-border services between New York and Ontario.

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority is coordinating its response with the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security. The Joint Terrorism Task Force and New York State Police are monitoring all points of entry into New York.

Investigation

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canada Border Services Agency investigated the incident.

According to Reuters, a preliminary assessment determined that the explosion was likely caused by a reckless driver. No explosive devices were immediately found, according to The New York Times.

Reactions

United States

The White House is "closely monitoring" the incident. President Joe Biden was briefed according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre; Biden was in Nantucket, Massachusetts for Thanksgiving. Transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg was briefed about the explosion and spoke with Canadian Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez. Attorney General Merrick Garland was briefed according to the Department of Justice.

Canada

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau informed the House of Commons at the beginning of Question Period that the explosion was a "very serious situation" and departed for further briefing. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc has been working alongside U.S. authorities, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and border service agencies. The Toronto Police Service increased patrols around the city "out of an abundance of caution".