Security tightened at U.S airports, Amtrak stations and commuter rail systems in D.C. and New York in response to Tuesday morning's deadly bombings in Brussels.
The precautions included the dispatch of the New York National Guard's quick-reaction force to provide additional security detail at JFK International Airport, as well as stepped-up security in LaGuardia airport.
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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo also ordered state troopers to Penn Station and Grand Central Station, as well as some tunnels and bridges in and around Manhattan. Elsewhere in the region, security was stepped up at the World Trade Center, the subways, Penn and Grand Central Stations and the George Washington Bridge.
In Washington, D.C. Metro transit police were increasing security patrols with federal authorities, while Amtrak said it has deployed extra officers.
There is no "known, specific or credible threat to Metro at this time," transit police said from their Twitter account. However, they said they will add more sweeps with police dogs and other patrols as a precaution.
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Metro police said they are getting assistance from other local police departments to augment security at outlying stations. They urged the public to report any suspicious activity to (202) 962-2121 or to text "MyMTPD."
In addition to deploying additional officers, Amtrak said it was reminding employees to "look for and report any suspicious activity and unattended items."
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security said it is "closely monitoring" events in Brussels and stands ready to respond if necessary.
"DHS will not hesitate to adjust our security posture, as appropriate, to protect the American people," agency spokeswoman Marsha Catron said. She noted that the department routinely shares information with other agencies, including in Europe, and "continually evaluates the level of protection we provide at federal facilities."
The attacks, two explosions at Brussels' national airport and blasts inside the city's metro system, killed at least 34 people and injured at least 170 others, according to authorities there. The metro attack hit a train pulling into a station that serves the European Union’s main institutions, including the Commission and Council buildings, and occurred about 350 meters from where European leaders hold their summits, POLITICO Europe reported.
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At least one explosion was caused by a suicide bomber, while a second was caused by a bomb detonated from a distance, authorities said.
Peter Neffenger, chief of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, was in Brussels on Wednesday as part of previously scheduled travel. He was safe after the attacks, a DHS official said.
In response to the bombings, Brussels' metro system and trams were closed city-wide. Eurostarand Thalys train services into Brussels have been halted.
Heather Caygle and Kathryn Wolfe contributed to this report.
