MIAMI – Miami International Airport stepped up its security presence Tuesday following three explosions in Belgium that authorities have declared terrorist attacks.
At least 31 people were killed and nearly 190 were injured in the explosions at Brussels Airport and the Maalbeek metro station.
"While there is no direct threat to Miami International Airport, we have heightened the security posture we already have in place with a number of additional measures, in response to the terrorist attacks today in Brussels," Miami-Dade Aviation Department spokesman Greg Chin said in a statement. "Those measures include an increased presence of uniformed officers and K-9 units in and around the terminal. Employees across our operations have been alerted to heighten their vigilance for suspicious activity."
Chin said more Miami-Dade police and officials with the Miami-Dade Aviation Department are at the airport Tuesday, and will be increasing random inspections at the entrances to the airport.
"In light of these additional security measures, coupled with increased airport traffic for Spring Break travel and the Easter Sunday weekend, travelers are encouraged to arrive at the airport earlier than usual this week," Chin said.
Local 10 News reporter Ben Kennedy spoke to a tourist from Belgium who drove to MIA shortly after the news broke about the attacks. Bran Meerten, who just came back from a cruise with his friend, said their flight back home is scheduled to take off at 5:20 p.m.
He said he wanted to arrive at the airport early to make sure that their flight was still on time.
"It's horrible to just hear it at the end of your holiday -- horrible for the people, the families," Meerten said.
Meerten said his brother was in Brussels at the time of the explosions, but was not injured.
"He works for the government so it's secure there," Meerten said.
A woman from South Florida, Emma Jane Miller, tweeted her concern for her daughter who was scheduled to leave Brussels Airport Tuesday morning on a Jetairfly flight.
She said her daughter's flight was scheduled to take off at 7 a.m. to Miami and she had not heard from her.
Jetairfly was quick to reassure Miller of her daughter's safety, tweeting "Dear. Emma, the flight to Miami left Brussels Airport safely, before the explosions."
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said security will also be stepped up at various locations throughout the county, although he did not specify which locations.
"The thoughts and prayers of Miami-Dade County are with everyone affected by the terrorist attacks in Brussels," Gimenez said in a statement. "While there is no specific threat to Miami-Dade County, the Miami-Dade Police Department and partner law enforcement agencies have enhanced security measures at specific locations throughout our community. I urge all of our residents and visitors to remain vigilant and if you see something, say something by reporting it to law enforcement. "
The blasts came days after suspected Paris gunman Salah Abdeslam was captured during a bloody police raid. Belgian authorities are searching for those involved in Tuesday's attacks, who they suspect might launch more attacks.
According to Belgium federal Prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw, at least one of the two airport explosions was a suicide bombing.
ISIS later claimed responsibility for the attacks through several posts online by prominent supporters of ISIS and by the ISIS-affiliated Amaq news agency.
@ejmiller20 Dear Emma, the flight to Miami left Brussels Airport safely, before the explosions.
— TUI fly Belgium (@TUIflyBelgium) March 22, 2016
Our thoughts go to the victims of the horrible events that happened here at #brusselsairport this morning, their family and friends.
— Brussels Airport (@BrusselsAirport) March 22, 2016