Car explosion near US-Canada border: FBI’s probe conclusion fuels conspiracy theories

The social media platforms in the US were replete with anti-Muslim conspiracy theories after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) concluded that a car explosion near a bridge near Niagara Falls that links US and Canada was not connected to terrorism. Two people died in the incident.

The FBI said late Wednesday (Nov 22) in a statement that the matter will be monitored as a traffic investigation.

"FBI Buffalo has concluded our investigation at the scene of the Rainbow Bridge incident. A search of the scene revealed no explosive materials and no terrorism nexus was identified," a statement from the agency read.

Many initially believed it to be a terror incident

The explosion prompted many, including the Department of Homeland Security, to suspect that it might be a case of terrorism.

But New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday evening at a press conference said there was no evidence linking it to terrorism.

She also told reporters that there was no indication of any explosives at the scene. Her remarks were later echoed by the FBI.

However, some started connecting the whole incident to a plot to sabotage the upcoming Thanksgiving, when holiday-related travel between the US and Canada is at its peak.

Conspiracy theories abound

"The FBI is suspecting that the Car Bomb Explosion TERRORIST ATTACK at the Rainbow Bridge US-Canada border in Niagara Falls could have been heading directly to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NEW YORK CITY,” far-right influencer Laura Loomer claimed in a post on X.

“FBI and NYPD on extreme high alert and advising no travel to NEW YORK City. THEY ARE ALSO NOW LOOKING FOR A SECOND VEHICLE! STAY OUT OF NEW YORK CITY! AMERICA IS UNDER ATTACK BY ISLAMISTS AGAIN! (sic)” Loomer continued.

“JUST IN: Following the Islamic terrorist attacking at the US-Canada border today, The Buffalo international airport has closed all arriving and departing international flights. They are concerned this isn’t a ‘one off’. Police are also still looking for the second vehicle that got away. It could also possibly be filled with explosives,” she later said.

Another X user wrote, "Wow! The FBI concludes their investigation after half a day, and yet we still don't know anything about the Vegas shooter.”

"Just like that, they've concluded their investigation..." another said, while a further user, a self-described "America First culture warrior," commented: "Look how efficient you are when you want to shut things down."