All Niagara borders have now been closed, with police evacuating the area and nearby government buildings.
An explosion has occurred at the border crossing of Rainbow Bridge in Niagara.
The explosion has caused all border crossings to be closed in Niagara following what the FBI is calling a “vehicle explosion.” The area around the bridge is now being cleared with police saying the area is being evacuated.
“You can expect heavy delays in the Niagara area. If you are planning on crossing the border, please delay travel until we know those highways and closures have reopened,” says Sgt. Kerry Schmidt with the OPP Highway Safety Division.
“For now, all border crossings in the Niagara region, Fort Erie, Rainbow, and the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge are all closed to traffic coming and going, to and from the United States into Canada.”
Sources say the vehicle in question was travelling upwards of 100 miles an hour on its way to the crossing, adding that the two people who occupied the vehicle have died and one other border agent has been injured.
Sources say the vehicle was travelling upwards of 100 miles an hour before the explosion occurred.
The source of the explosion is still under investigation, with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force monitoring the situation.
Canada is now operating under assumption Rainbow Bridge vehicle explosion is terror-related according sources with national security.
“Our provincial law enforcement is actively engaged in assessing the situation,” says Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
“They are working with local law enforcement and are providing support as required.”
Authorities are now searching for a second vehicle linked to the terrorist attack and nearby airports are being searched, with government buildings being evacuated and closed.
The incident is still developing.
The below video shows security footage from the border crossing when the explosion occurred. Viewer discretion is advised.
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