Latest Updates About Explosion On Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls

More information is available about the explosion that caused tremendous damage to the security plaza on the American side of the Rainbow Bridge on Wednesday, November 22, 2023.

The explosion, which was caused by a car that crashed into the travel plaza, initially led to the shutdown of all international border travel between the United States and Canada in Western New York. That shutdown caused the closure of the area's four international bridges, along with the suspension of international flights being able to land at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport and the Niagara Falls International Airport. In an abundance of caution, several government buildings were also closed as government and law enforcement officials did not know if this explosion was an act of terrorism.

Since the initial hours of the explosion and reports, a lot more information is now available on what happened in the late morning hours on Wednesday, November 22, 2023.

The Explosion At The Rainbow Bridge Was Not An Act Of Terrorism

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has definitively said, after being briefed by multiple law enforcement agencies, that this explosion was not terrorism. The investigation has been turned over to local police in Niagara Falls to conclude precisely what led to the explosion.

At this time, there is no indication of a terrorist attack. Let me repeat that, at this time there is no indication of a terrorist-involved attack here at the Rainbow Bridge.
-Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York State

What we know so far is that a car was traveling at a high rate of speed through the city of Niagara Falls and drove into the Rainbow Bridge Plaza on Niagara Street.

Video released by US Customs and Border Protection on X.com shows the vehicle, which was traveling westbound on Niagara Street into the plaza, go airborne and crash into one of the security booths.

Two people in the car have been confirmed dead. Multiple sources have reported to WBKW-TV that the two people who died are from Grand Island, New York, but investigators have not released any information about the victims or where they're from.

Since officials are confident this isn't terrorism, three of the four international bridges, the Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, and Whirlpool Bridge, have reopened. The Rainbow Bridge remains closed due to the damage that was done to the inspection booths.