False Claim: “Terrorist attack confirmed” in Niagara Falls, New York; Two Killed in Fiery Crash

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Terrorist Attack Rumors Debunked Following Fiery Crash at Niagara Falls Border

Niagara Falls, New York – In a shocking turn of events, a speeding car near the U.S.-Canada border became airborne, crashed, and burst into flames, resulting in the tragic deaths of two individuals and leaving another injured. As news of the incident spread, social media posts began circulating, suggesting a possible terrorist attack at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, New York.

Facebook posts were quick to fuel the rumors, with one particular caption stating, “UPDATE: Terrorist attack confirmed.” Initially, the same post had claimed that the police were treating the incident as a potential terrorist attack. Another Facebook post included a screenshot of a headline about the Rainbow Bridge explosion, accompanied by the caption, “Confirmed attempted terror attack per FBI.” These alarming posts were swiftly flagged as part of Meta’s ongoing efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed.

The spread of similar claims was not limited to Facebook alone, as TikTok also played host to individuals sharing videos perpetuating the unfounded terrorist attack narrative. In one such video, a TikTok user confidently stated, “A terrorist attack just happened in the United States at the Rainbow Bridge.” However, TikTok took immediate action to counter such inauthentic, misleading, or false content.

In response to the escalating concerns, the FBI promptly addressed the situation and categorically stated that the crash was not related to any terrorist activity. The FBI’s Buffalo, New York, field office released a statement on November 22, clarifying, “A search of the scene revealed no explosive materials, and no terrorism nexus was identified. The matter has been turned over to the Niagara Falls Police Department as a traffic investigation.”

The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time on November 22, and initial reports from a Fox News correspondent on X, formerly Twitter, suggested unnamed sources claiming it was an attempted terrorist attack, with the car allegedly filled with explosives. However, the correspondent later clarified her post, explaining, “High-level police sources say bomb techs on the scene immediately alerted all authorities that this was an attempted terror attack because they had never seen a car explosion with a debris field like that before and believed there were several explosives in the car.”

Amidst the chaos, New York Governor Kathy Hochul took to X to announce that she had directed the New York State Police and the FBI Terrorism Task Force to monitor all points of entry to the state. However, during a news conference later that day, Hochul reassured the public, stating, “There is no sign of terrorist activity with respect to this crash.”

As the investigation into the incident continued, the victims of the crash were identified as Kurt P. Villani and Monica Villani, a married couple who owned businesses in western New York. Authorities revealed that the couple was en route to a concert in Toronto at the time of the tragic accident.

The vehicle involved was a 2022 Bentley Flying Spur, an ultraluxury model known for its impressive speed, capable of reaching 60 miles per hour in just four seconds. Investigators are now carefully considering whether a mechanical failure could have been the cause of the car accelerating out of control.

In conclusion, despite the initial social media posts and rumors circulating, it has been confirmed by authorities that the crash at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, New York, was not a terrorist attack. The FBI’s thorough investigation revealed no explosives or terrorism connections at the scene. The tragic incident is currently being treated as a traffic investigation by the Niagara Falls Police Department.

Sources:
– Facebook post (archived), Nov. 22, 2023
– TikTok video (archived), Nov. 22, 2023
– X post by FBI Buffalo, Nov. 22, 2023
– X post by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Nov. 22, 2023
– X post by Alexis McAdams, Nov. 22, 2023
– X post by Governor Kathy Hochul, Nov. 22, 2023
– The New York Times, Fiery Crash at Canadian Border Kills 2, Alarming Washington and Ottawa, Nov. 22, 2023
– The New York Times, After Couple’s Fatal Bridge Crash, Investigators Search for Reason, Nov. 23, 2023
– The New York Times, Bentley in Border Bridge Crash Was a Luxury Car Packed With Power, Nov. 24, 2023
– NBC News, No sign of terrorism in blast that killed 2 at U.S.-Canada border in Niagara Falls, governor says, Nov. 22, 2023.