MSNBC: LAX shut down because of security breach

[Renew Deal]

Video shows lots of emergency vehicles. It's not clear what's going on. It's at terminal 4 which is the international terminal. All terminals are closed. It has been shut down about 45 minutes at 12:23.

MSNBC says explosion reports are unconfirmed, but baggage handler they spoke to didn't say anything about an explosion.

CNN says a person carrying a flash light with corroded batteries exploded injuring 7.

[Newsjock]

1. The cause ...

... Nonconforming election poll detected on a laptop in Terminal 4. Authorities have been called to impound the infidel.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

21. hahahahahahahaha

[Junkdrawer]

2. Faux News had: Report - Explosion at LAX on it's screen...

:shrug:

[Renew Deal]

3. Oh brother

[Newsjock]

4. AP is NOT saying explosion

Off the wire:

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles International Airport was shut down early Saturday because of a possible security breach and a separate incident at an international terminal security screening station, an airport spokesman said.


No information was immediately available on the incident at Tom Bradley International Terminal, airport spokesman Harold Johnson said.


Officials also did not explain the possible security breach that shut down terminals 6, 7 and 8. The terminals are connected.


Traffic was being diverted from the airport.

[Junkdrawer]

5. Well, could be another "some people say"(tm) ploy...

It is, after all, Faux News.

[neomonkey]

9. They are attacking us with batteries!?

Wow, those terrarists are so smart!

[Renew Deal]

7. CNN said it was a flashlight with corroded batteries.

[Newsjock]

6. CNN: "Explosion" is actually ...

... corroded batteries in a flashlight.

[allemand]

15. Flashlight carrying old batteries exploded during x-ray screening

Several injuries at LA airport after flashlight carrying old batteries exploded during x-ray screening.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/ShTickers.html

[PCIntern]

8. a 'pop' in a bag sez MSGOP

could be a flashlight battery they say.

PRobably a bag registered to someone in the Kerry campaign, who had pictures of Soviet Tanks in Austria...

WHAT?

[Dookus]

10. CNN just reporting

that police have confirmed there WAS an explosion, and there are injuries. They say a producer described a "pop" in a bag.

It's unclear whether both refer to the same incident.

[name not needed]

14. The injuries are swollen fingers

and ringing ears.

[VolcanoJen]

11. CNN live now... happened over two hours ago, 2 seperate incidents

Bomb squads, tons of police, many passengers waiting.

[blondeatlast]

12. Real Time air traffic control--not a lot of info, but up-to-date as possib

http://www.lawa.org/lax/laxframe.html

Also here:
http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/flyfaaindex.jsp?ARPT=lax&p=0

Due to GATE SPACE (UNITED IMPOSED, UAL ONLY), there is a Traffic Management Program in effect for traffic arriving Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, CA (LAX). To see if you may be affected, select your departure airport and check "Delays by Destination".

This might explain one of the incidences.

[VolcanoJen]

13. Reuters link - "loud sound" could have come from exploding flashlight

http://wireservice.wired.com/wired/story.asp?section=Breaking&storyId=916729

Saturday, September 04, 2004 12:44 p.m. ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Three terminals were evacuated at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday after two unrelated incidents spurred an investigation of a possible security breach, an airport spokesman said.

Airport spokesman Harold Johnson said officials evacuated three terminals after an apparent security breach. Officials said reports of a "loud sound" could have come from an exploding flashlight.

[VolcanoJen]

16. With so many Florida airports shut down....

... this cannot be a fun day for the airline workers.

[blondeatlast]

18. No kidding. I have friends who work out Southwest that I'm meeting tonight

Drinks are on hubby and me.

[VolcanoJen]

22. Ya know, they might have to cancel.

Southwest uses LAX heavily, don't they? It's going to be a loooooong day for them.

[blondeatlast]

29. Very heavily, but friends are here in Phoenix.

I haven't heard anything from them.

I just hope A & E isn't filming today!

[blondeatlast]

17. Air Traffic Control--all gates are open now.

http://www.lawa.org/lax/laxframe.html

No expected delays.

[VolcanoJen]

23. Wow! OK, so nothing to see here, then?

Enjoy your cocktails with your Southwest buddies, and ignore my message above! :-)

[VolcanoJen]

24. Weird.When I click on FAA Airport Status link, every airport looks closed!

Click below, then at the next screen, click on interactive map.

http://www.faa.gov/Passengers/highlights/airportstatusinfo.cfm

Every major airport in America briefly blinks green, then switches to blue.

According to the legend provided:

Green = General Arrival/Departure delays are 15 minutes or less.
Blue = Closed airport

Anyone else get the same result at that link? It's got to be a glitch, but it's bizarre.

[sistersofmercy]

19. Has anyone ever heard of corroded batteries exploding?

Just curious because I never have but I've seen plenty of corruded batteries in different things. It might be possible that someone tried to sneak explosives on a plane by concealing it within a flashlight. I used to hide joints in ballpoint pens by taking the ink cartridge out.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

26. Yes, but.......

I find it difficult to believe that it would cause several injuries. I suspect you are correct about an attempt to coceal an explosive device in the flashlight.

[Massacure]

28. Battery acid is nasty stuff. I guess it would depend on how far it was

thrown though.

[soothsayer]

31. hmm

n/t

[xcmt]

20. More on CNN

CNN reporting the Department of Homeland Security denies any explosions, denies injuries.

[rsmith6621]

25. I have Somthing To Say

>CNN reporting the Department of Homeland Security denies any explosions, denies injuries<.





First off....I want to thank the dictator of the west for my new position in the capacity of spokesman for the D.O.D Department of denial........

At present there is no need for concern everything is under control and every possible effort is being used to get LAX back open.

We will have a public statement on Monday morning when we figure out how this can be politicaly benificial and found someone to blame it on.........

Thank you....now I must return to my Steaks

[Generic Other]

30. Okay buster, I just exploded my morning tea

onto the monitor.

Why does that guy's picture make me do that?

[VolcanoJen]

27. CNN reports LAX still shut down.

Interesting that they took a moment to interrupt hurricane coverage.

[VolcanoJen]

32. Kick

:dem:

[goodboy]

33. It's COOL everybody, I have some real details.

My friend says that high tech lithium batteries in a
mining light or flash light exploded when it went through the X-ray
machine. Minor injuries to 8 people. Just a freak accident.

He's in the Flight Center for NetJets, and is provided with all details pertaining to any of the flights he controls.

for what it's worth...

jason

[goodboy]

34. ALso...all injuries were to the hands, and/or hearing related...eom