A car burst into flames at a U.S.-Canada checkpoint near Niagara Falls, resulting in the tragic deaths of the two occupants. The incident prompted the closure of borders and triggered a significant security alert on the eve of a major holiday.

According to sources, two individuals lost their lives in a "vehicle explosion" at the US-Canada border crossing near Niagara Falls afternoon, as reported by CBS News. In response to the situation, four border crossings between the US and Canada in the region have been closed while investigators address the incident.

Multiple law enforcement officials, confirming the details to CBS News, have reported that two individuals lost their lives inside the vehicle that exploded. The nationalities of the deceased are currently unknown. As per a senior US law enforcement official, the vehicle, originating from the US side, struck the customs station and became engulfed in flames. The cause of the car explosion remains unknown at this time.

A senior US law enforcement official, providing details to CBS News, stated that the car, originating from the US side, collided with the customs station, resulting in the vehicle being charred. The reason behind the explosion is currently unknown.

A senior administration official characterized the incident to CBS News as "more than a freak accident," emphasizing the lack of details at this point. A Canadian visitor to New York Mike Guenther reported that he was walking nearby when the incident occurred. He observed the vehicle traveling at high speed in the direction of the border crossing.

"And he was flying, over 100 miles an hour. There was a car in front of him, he swerved out, went in front of the car, hit the fence, went flying up into the air... and we saw the fireball, and that's all we could see, there was just smoke everywhere," he said, according to CBS News.

Meanwhile, the FBI Buffalo Field Office in a statement posted on social media platform X, said, "The FBI Buffalo Field Office is investigating a vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge, a border crossing between the US and Canada in Niagara Falls. The FBI is coordinating with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners in this investigation. As this situation is very fluid, that's all we can say at this time."

The Rainbow Bridge, connecting Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, and Niagara Falls, New York, stands as a popular tourist destination. In the vicinity, other border crossings include the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge, and the Peace Bridge.

Emergency responses were activated by authorities on both sides of the border, with images revealing access roads to the crossing filled with emergency service workers and vehicles.

The White House reported that President Joe Biden received a briefing and is actively monitoring the situation. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told parliament “this is obviously a very serious situation.”

The Rainbow Bridge, one of the busiest crossings between Canada and the United States, boasts 16 vehicle lanes and typically operates 24 hours a day, as stated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Image source: ANI