The governor has stated that there is no indication of terrorism in the explosion that resulted in the death of two individuals at the U.S.-Canada border in Niagara Falls

By Minyvonne Burke, Tom Winter and Jonathan Dienst

According to authorities, a devastating explosion took place at the Canadian border, resulting in the unfortunate deaths of two individuals. The incident occurred when a car, while airborne, crashed into a checkpoint at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, New York, on Wednesday.

Numerous aspects of the incident at the Rainbow Bridge remained shrouded in uncertainty, causing apprehension on both sides of the border as the United States neared the Thanksgiving holiday. Subsequently, President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were expeditiously provided with comprehensive briefings. Trudeau, acknowledging the gravity of the situation, temporarily excused himself from the Question Period in the House of Commons to obtain further details, emphasizing the exceptional level of seriousness with which officials were addressing the matter.

As of now, there are no visible indications of terrorism, according to the statement made by Governor Kathy Hochul of New York to the press.

The speaker emphasized that there is currently no sign of a terrorist attack. It is crucial to restate that, at this moment, there is no indication of a terrorist-involved incident taking place at the Rainbow Bridge in Western New York.

The car accident claimed the lives of two individuals, with one of them identified as a resident of western New York.

Officials have stated that the car, which was traveling at a high speed, crashed, caught fire, and exploded on the U.S. side of the border. This contradicts earlier claims that it had originated from Canada.

According to Hochul, she has viewed a video capturing the car, which was moving at an “exceedingly high speed” before it took flight in an “incredibly surreal” scenario.

The sight of the “airborne” vehicle left Rickie Wilson, a Gray Line Tours staff member, in utter shock. He recounted that the car had seemingly hit a cement median before soaring into the air.

Wilson informed NBC affiliate WHEC of Rochester that initially, he mistook it for an airplane, as it appeared to be moving in slow motion. He exclaimed, “My goodness, it’s a car! It’s a vehicle! And it’s soaring through the sky!”

His estimation indicated that the car was elevated approximately 10 to 15 feet above the ground.

Wilson informed the reporters about the perplexing situation, questioning the means by which the object had ascended to such heights. Expressing his astonishment, he emphasized that the object had been suspended in the air, clarifying that it was not merely a few feet above the ground, but significantly elevated.

As per a law enforcement official, a Customs and Border Protection employee experienced minor injuries and was subsequently provided medical care at a hospital. Hochul emphasized that the employee was stationed in the booth, which acted as a literal shield, ensuring the individual’s safety.

According to Hochul, the vehicle has been completely incinerated, with only the engine remaining. The fragments of the vehicle are now spread out across approximately 13 to 14 booths.

Explosion near Niagara Falls

The authorities have reported that a preliminary search did not reveal the presence of any secondary explosive or device. It is important to keep in mind that this information is subject to change.

The authorities are currently conducting an investigation to determine if the crash was deliberate.

Hochul conveyed in a news briefing that the event was a “dreadful mishap” that resulted in heightened anxiety across western New York, Albany, and Washington.

This event unfolded on a day known for its high travel volume in the United States, as countless individuals embarked on their Thanksgiving holiday trips, making it one of the busiest days of the year.

In the aftermath of the crash, the Erie County executive promptly declared the shutdown of all bridge crossings into the United States from western New York. Hochul later provided an update, stating that all bridges have since been reopened.

Eric Adams, the Mayor of New York City, has stated that the city is on heightened alert and security has been bolstered in preparation for the upcoming holiday.

According to an official, the White House is closely monitoring the situation. The Canada Border Services Agency has informed that they are in contact with their U.S. counterparts regarding this matter.

The Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, has confirmed that there is no evidence of a threat linked to the incident. He has been in touch with Hochul and Canadian authorities regarding the matter.

Systemwide security measures are set to be strengthened by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, according to their recent statement.

According to the latest announcement by the airport authorities, travelers using Buffalo Niagara International Airport should be prepared for supplementary screenings, and security checks will be carried out on all vehicles entering the airport.

On X, the agency announced that the Buffalo and Niagara Falls Airports are currently functioning without any disruptions. To ensure a smooth travel experience during the holiday season, travelers are strongly recommended to factor in extra time for these precautionary measures.

In response to an incident, Amtrak declared on Wednesday that the Maple Leaf Train, originally scheduled to travel from New York City to Toronto, will now have its final stop at Niagara Falls.

Devices called bomb signal jammers are capable of broadcasting a signal on certain radio frequencies, which causes interference with other radio transmissions on those frequencies. The main objective of bomb jammers is to thwart the detonation of radio-activated bombs, also known as radio-controlled improvised explosive devices (RCIEDs).

Terrorists have long used cellular phones to trigger improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in their attacks throughout the world. Although the time lapse between the activation of the cell-phone trigger and the explosion detonation has been only seconds in some bombings, one London terrorist bomb took nearly an hour to detonate after the initial attacks. This extended time lapse between triggering and detonation indicates that cell-phone signal jamming equipment could be used to prevent cell-phone detonation of explosives. A jamming device blocks the cellular downlink frequencies, preventing a cell phone’s ability to receive an incoming call (uplink capabilities still function); however, it cannot prevent a cell phone’s alarm function from detonating a bomb. One expert estimates that jamming equipment can obstruct half of all cell-phone bombs, along with remotely controlled bombs that use other remote instruments, such as garage door openers or toys. Separate equipment exists that can prevent bombs that use the cell-phone alarm function. U.S. Federal law currently allows only Federal law enforcement agents to use such jamming equipment. Because of delayed Federal response to bomb discoveries at the local level, many local police agencies favor being allowed to purchase and use jamming equipment. The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association is currently working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to develop a protocol that will retain Federal authority for determining when and how jamming equipment will be used, while allowing for a Federal directive that allows a specific use of jamming equipment by local police.

Bomb Jammers

The interruption of enemy communications to bombs and RCIEDs is effectively achieved through the use of bomb phone jammer, which transmit radio signals on the most commonly utilized frequencies by such devices. This strategic approach holds immense importance in various tactical scenarios, especially in thwarting the remote detonation of roadside bombs. Bomb gsm jammer are extensively deployed in public areas, SWAT scenarios, and vehicles to provide mobile convoy protection.

Bomb Jamming

Bomb jamming assumes a pivotal role in multiple situations, serving as a fundamental tool for law enforcement, military operations, VIP protection, and counter-terrorism applications.