Deadly Belgium attacks prompt heightened LAX, Metro and Metrolink security

Los Angeles is on heightening alert following a series of deadly explosions in Belgium that killed at least 31 Tuesday moing.

Security has been heightened at LAX with additional foot patrol officers making their way through the inteational airport Tuesday moing, however, authorities say they have not received a credible threat against the airport.

“Security and safety is every ones responsibility. Please help by playing your role!” Los Angeles Airport police tweeted Tuesday moing.

It wasn’t immediately clear if Ontario Airport was under the same increased security.

There is no known tangible threat to any transit system in Los Angeles, Transit Services Bureau spokesman Ramon Montenegro told City News Service.

However, there will be ramped-up security on all Metro lines, he said.

“Right now, we are monitoring the situation in Brussels and maintaining close contact and communications with our county Emergency Operations Center, Homeland Security and LA Metro,” Montenegro said.

“I’m certain that we will increase security in the aftermath of these attacks on all transit lines,” Montenegro said. “We also have special security teams that we will likely deploy later today.”

Montenegro said the security patrols, include bomb-sniffing dogs, are regularly deployed along the Red Line subway route.

“Our hearts go out to the people of Brussels and to the first responders,” he said. “We just pray that no one else gets hurt there.”

The Metrolink rail system, which services Los Angeles, San Beardino, Ventura and Orange counties, is also on heightened alert.

“The level of security is constant with an eye on homeland security and working with member agencies in law enforcement partners,” said Scott Johnson, spokesman for the agency. Metro and Metrolink both contract with local law enforcement for security at their station ad terminals.

There is currently no disruption of train service due to the increased security measures, officials said.

Attackers detonated bombs at the airport and on a metro train beneath the European Union’s capital on Tuesday, killing at least 26 people and confirming the worst fears of European officials, who proclaimed the continent at war.

Two explosions, at least one likely caused by a suicide bomber, hit the departures area of Brussels’ Zaventem airport during the busy moing rush, collapsing the ceiling and sending panicked travelers rushing for cover. Belgian Health Minister Maggie de Block told Belgian media that 11 people were killed and 81 injured.

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An hour later, another 15 people were killed and 55 injured in an explosion on a subway train not far from the headquarters of the European Union, a spokesman for the Brussels Metro said.

“What we feared has happened,” Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel told reporters. “In this time of tragedy, this black moment for our country, I appeal to everyone to remain calm but also to show solidarity.”

Belgium raised its terror alert to the highest level, diverting planes and trains and ordering people to stay where they were. Airports across Europe immediately tightened security.

“We are at war,” French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said after a crisis meeting called by the French president. “We have been subjected for the last few months in Europe to acts of war.”

European security officials have been bracing for a major attack for weeks, and waed that the Islamic State group was actively preparing to strike. The arrest Friday of a key suspect in the November attacks in Paris heightened those fears, as investigators said many more people were involved than originally thought, and that some are still on the loose.