New York, Nov 23 (IANS) On the eve of a major U.S. holiday, a car explosion on the Rainbow Bridge to Canada has raised alarms and led to the closure of bridges and train services between the two neighboring nations. The incident, occurring on the U.S. side of the bridge heading towards Niagara Falls, resulted in the tragic death of two individuals in the vehicle.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that, as of now, there is “no known terrorist connection” to the incident. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, however, described the situation as “very serious.”
The explosion comes amid heightened tensions related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, adding an extra layer of concern. In response, security measures have been increased, with heightened alerts at border crossings and the shutdown of all four bridges in the Niagara area. Amtrak has suspended service from the U.S. to Toronto, and increased security measures are in place at airports.
Governor Hochul noted that the explosion was so powerful that only the engine of the vehicle remained. The victims, a man and a woman, were in the car at the time, with one of them being from the local area.
Eyewitnesses reported the vehicle traveling at an exceptionally high speed, hitting a barrier, flying several feet in the air, and then catching fire. Initial fears of a terrorist incident were addressed by local authorities, although early reports had indicated the FBI was investigating it as an “attempted terrorist attack.” No explosives were ultimately found, and the incident is under thorough investigation.