A vehicle explosion that closed all four international border crossings between the United States and Canada in New York near Niagara Falls is being investigated as an attempted terrorist attack.

Explosives were found in the vehicle in which two people were killed on the Rainbow Bridge, sources told Fox News. The deaths were also confirmed to CNN by law enforcement sources.

The vehicle was driving into the US from Canada on Wednesday morning and exploded as it drove towards a secondary search area, according to CNN.

The car had already gone through an initial checkpoint where identification documents were examined before the explosion took place, reported the network.

A 27-year-old man was taken to Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital with back pain and minor cuts. His condition is described as not severe.

Eye witness Mike Guenther told WGRZ-TV that he saw a vehicle speeding towards the US border crossing when it swerved to avoid another vehicle, crashed into a fence and exploded.

“All of a sudden he went up in the air and then it was a ball of fire like 30 or 40 feet high,” Mr Guenther told the station. “I never saw anything like it.”

Earlier, City of Niagara officials said that the incident on involved a vehicle trying to enter the US, with the FBI Field Office in Buffalo describing the incident as an “explosion.”

The Rainbow Bridge connects the US and Canadian cities of Niagara Falls and is located less than a mile from the famed waterfalls themselves.

The Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, Whirlpool Bridge, and Rainbow Bridge were all also closed in both directions

“As this situation is very fluid, that’s all we can say at this time,” the FBI Buffalo office said on X.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she was “closely monitoring the situation”

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority said it would be increasing security systemwide. Travellers at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport have been warned to expect additional screenings, while vehicles will undergo extra security checks.

“The Buffalo and Niagara Falls Airports are fully operational. We advise travelers to give themselves time for these extra precautions in addition to holiday travel,” the agency said on X.

The White House “is closely monitoring the situation and law enforcement is on-scene and investigating,” a White House official told The Independent

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he had been briefed by Canada’s National Security and Intelligence Advisor on the situation.

“We are in contact with the US Officials. The Minister of Public Safety, RCMP and CBSA are fully engaged and providing all necessary support,” the prime minister’s statement read.

Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, told reporters it was too early to speculate on the explosion.

“Obviously any time a piece of infrastructure as important as a border crossing sees violent circumstances it is a cause of concern for the government of Canada and the United States,” he said.

“Until we have more accurate information it is not responsible (to speculate).”

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