U.S. officials say 'no indication' Rainbow Bridge vehicle explosion was terrorist attack, after Canadian caution
CTV
While Canadian government officials had been operating under the assumption that Wednesday's vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls was terror-related, according to national security sources, U.S. officials are now saying that while the investigation continues there is 'no indication of a terrorist attack' at this time.
While Canadian government officials had been operating under the assumption that Wednesday's vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls was terror-related, according to national security sources, U.S. officials are now saying that while the investigation continues there is 'no indication of a terrorist attack' at this time.
"At this time, there is no indication of a terrorist-involved attack," New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told reporters.
"Based on my briefings with experienced law enforcement, with the FBI, Homeland Security, and the Customs and Border Protection… They're still analyzing this, but there's been no indication based on any online threats, anyone taking credit for anything," Hochul said, while cautioning that this is the information she has now, and wanted to share it as to not "leave the public with a lot more anxiety than they need to have at this time."
Given Canada is operating under this assumption, and while it has not been ruled out that the explosion was the result of other means such as a medical event or reckless driver, officials have conveyed to police forces that they should increase their presence at likely terror targets.
Earlier Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau informed the House of Commons that "additional measures" were being contemplated and activated" at all border crossings across the country.
Soon after footage and reports started to emerge about the suspicious incident that took place shortly after 11:20 a.m. ET involving a vehicle travelling at high speed before becoming airborne and crashing into a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol booth before bursting into flames, Canadian authorities were in contact with their U.S. counterparts and investigators on the scene.
All security related organizations and departments on this side of the border met to discuss the incident, including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the RCMP and Trudeau's national security and intelligence adviser, according to sources.
