By Alisha Ebrahimji, Maureen Chowdhury and Tori B. Powell, CNN
From CNN's Celina Tebor
All local government offices in the immediate area of the explosion at the US-Canada border have been closed and evacuated, New York State Assembly Member Michael Novakhov wrote on Facebook.
His office has been briefed on the explosion, Novakhov said.
From CNN's Kristina Sgueglia
Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said his government is taking the vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing “extremely seriously,” and is receiving regular updates from US authorities, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and border service agencies.
Leblanc plans to speak with the US homeland secretary soon, he said.
“This is obviously a very serious situation,” the minister said, but would not speculate on the “origin” of the incident or fatalities due to its "evolving" nature.
He and the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will receive further updates in the “coming moments," he said.
Trudeau echoed the minister's sentiments and said the explosion at is “obviously a very serious situation” and additional measures are being "contemplated and activated."
From CNN's Evan Perez
Two occupants who were in the vehicle that exploded at the Canada-US border are dead, a law enforcement source tells CNN.
From CNN's John Miller
Multiple law enforcement sources said that shortly before noon on Wednesday, a car coming from the Canadian side of the border with the US exploded after it was heading toward a secondary search area.
The car was on the Rainbow Bridge that connects Canada to New York and went through an initial checkpoint where identification documents are examined before the explosion occurred.
Authorities do not know what caused the explosion. The FBI, New York State Police and US Customs and Border Protection are on the scene investigating.
Federal authorities are trying to retrieve video from a number of different angles because the statements from witnesses vary, the sources said.
Sources said there were no serious injuries except to those who were in the car, reportedly two men.
From CNN's Arlette Saenz
The White House is “closely monitoring” the incident at the Rainbow Bridge crossing near Niagara Falls, according to a White House official.
“Law enforcement is on-scene and investigating," the official said.
President Joe Biden is currently in Nantucket, Massachusetts, where he is spending the Thanksgiving holiday with family.
From CNN’s Paula Newton
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been briefed on the incident in Niagara Falls and is in contact with US officials, according to a statement from Canada’s Office of the Prime Minister.
"The Minister of Public Safety, RCMP and CBSA are fully engaged and providing all necessary support,” the statement said.
From CNN’s Celina Tebor
The Federal Bureau of Investigations Joint Terrorism Task Force is working with New York State Police to “monitor all points of entry to New York,” after a “situation that occurred at the Rainbow Bridge in Buffalo,” the Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
CNN earlier reported the FBI described a “vehicle explosion,” and a fluid situation.
Hochul said she is heading to Buffalo to meet with law enforcement and emergency responders
From CNN's Kristina Sgueglia
Federal authorities in Buffalo, New York, are investigating a “vehicle explosion” at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing between US and Canada.
The FBI is coordinating with local, state and federal law enforcement in the ongoing investigation, it said on X, the social media platform formerly known at Twitter.
“As this situation is very fluid, that’s all we can say at this time,” the statement said.
CNN's Laura Dolan contributed to this report
From CNN’s Celina Tebor
Portions of three ports of entry between Canada and the US near Niagara Falls are closed according to the Niagara International Transportation Technology Coalition (NITTEC).
There are four ports of entry between Canada and the US near Niagara Falls, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
According to NITTEC, the Peace Bridge and Lewiston-Queenstown Bridge are closed “because of a traffic event.” Another bridge, the Rainbow Bridge, was shut down on both sides following a crash, according to NITTEC.
All local government offices in the immediate area of the explosion at the US-Canada border have been closed and evacuated, New York State Assembly Member Michael Novakhov wrote on Facebook.
His office has been briefed on the explosion, Novakhov said.
Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said his government is taking the vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing “extremely seriously,” and is receiving regular updates from US authorities, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and border service agencies.
Leblanc plans to speak with the US homeland secretary soon, he said.
“This is obviously a very serious situation,” the minister said, but would not speculate on the “origin” of the incident or fatalities due to its "evolving" nature.
He and the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will receive further updates in the “coming moments," he said.
Trudeau echoed the minister's sentiments and said the explosion at is “obviously a very serious situation” and additional measures are being "contemplated and activated."
Two occupants who were in the vehicle that exploded at the Canada-US border are dead, a law enforcement source tells CNN.
Multiple law enforcement sources said that shortly before noon on Wednesday, a car coming from the Canadian side of the border with the US exploded after it was heading toward a secondary search area.
The car was on the Rainbow Bridge that connects Canada to New York and went through an initial checkpoint where identification documents are examined before the explosion occurred.
Authorities do not know what caused the explosion. The FBI, New York State Police and US Customs and Border Protection are on the scene investigating.
Federal authorities are trying to retrieve video from a number of different angles because the statements from witnesses vary, the sources said.
Sources said there were no serious injuries except to those who were in the car, reportedly two men.
The White House is “closely monitoring” the incident at the Rainbow Bridge crossing near Niagara Falls, according to a White House official.
“Law enforcement is on-scene and investigating," the official said.
President Joe Biden is currently in Nantucket, Massachusetts, where he is spending the Thanksgiving holiday with family.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been briefed on the incident in Niagara Falls and is in contact with US officials, according to a statement from Canada’s Office of the Prime Minister.
"The Minister of Public Safety, RCMP and CBSA are fully engaged and providing all necessary support,” the statement said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations Joint Terrorism Task Force is working with New York State Police to “monitor all points of entry to New York,” after a “situation that occurred at the Rainbow Bridge in Buffalo,” the Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
CNN earlier reported the FBI described a “vehicle explosion,” and a fluid situation.
Hochul said she is heading to Buffalo to meet with law enforcement and emergency responders
Federal authorities in Buffalo, New York, are investigating a “vehicle explosion” at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing between US and Canada.
The FBI is coordinating with local, state and federal law enforcement in the ongoing investigation, it said on X, the social media platform formerly known at Twitter.
“As this situation is very fluid, that’s all we can say at this time,” the statement said.
CNN's Laura Dolan contributed to this report
Portions of three ports of entry between Canada and the US near Niagara Falls are closed according to the Niagara International Transportation Technology Coalition (NITTEC).
There are four ports of entry between Canada and the US near Niagara Falls, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
According to NITTEC, the Peace Bridge and Lewiston-Queenstown Bridge are closed “because of a traffic event.” Another bridge, the Rainbow Bridge, was shut down on both sides following a crash, according to NITTEC.
