US-Canada border crossings near Niagara Falls were closed on Wednesday as investigators responded to a vehicle explosion on the Rainbow Bridge, local and state authorities said, citing AFP.
The cause of the incident was unclear, but New York State Gov. Cathy Hochul said state police and the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force were monitoring all points of entry into the state. "I am traveling to Buffalo to meet with law enforcement and emergency responders and will update New Yorkers as more information becomes available," she posted on social media.
The FBI's Buffalo field office said in a statement it was "investigating a vehicle explosion" on the bridge, adding that the situation was "very volatile, that's all we can say at this time." The four bridges connecting the two sides over the Niagara River are closed. Photos posted on social media, which AFP has not verified, show thick plumes of black smoke rising from a large fire at the crossing. /BGNES
