(Canadian Press)

By Eli J. Ridder | @EliRidder

BORDER BLAST

No evidence of terrorist activity in Canada-U.S. border blast: New York governor

Nov 22, 2023 | 3:00 PM

NIAGARA FALLS, ON – New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said there is no evidence to indicate any terrorist activity was behind a vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge complex Wednesday that killed two people.

Hochul said there was “no indication of a terrorist attack.”

Hochul said an investigation is ongoing, and the U.S. customs and border agency reported three Canada-U.S. border crossings in the Niagara region have reopened.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing a vehicle that originated on the U.S. side travelling toward the customs kiosks at high speed before crashing in a burst of flames.

The spectacular fireball, coupled with latent U.S. anxiety on the eve of a busy holiday weekend, fuelled an afternoon of speculation about a possible terrorist attack.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a statement on social media saying that the Whirlpool, Queenston Lewiston and Peace bridges have all reopened.

The Rainbow Bridge crossing, which spans the Niagara River, remains closed to traffic in both directions.

The FBI confirmed it is investigating the blast, which took place on the U.S. side of the Rainbow Bridge crossing in upstate New York.

Media reports suggest the vehicle was trying to enter the U.S. from Canada.

A spokeswoman for the RCMP says officers are working with domestic and international partners on the blast.

Niagara Regional Police Service said it is monitoring developments, and there is no known threat on the Canadian side of the border.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said officials are “taking this extraordinarily seriously.”

The White House said President Joe Biden was “closely following developments.”

The incident comes just one week after FBI director Christopher Wray warned a congressional committee about a heightened risk of extremism linked to the Israel-Hamas war.

—with files from the Canadian Press, Associated Press and CHAT News