Paris, London Gatwick airports step up security after Brussels attacks

AFP: London’s Gatwick airport stepped up security on Tuesday after a string of explosions in Brussels as British Prime Minister David Cameron prepared to hold an emergency cabinet meeting on the attacks.

“As a result of the terrible incidents in Brussels, we have increased our security presence and patrols around the airport,” the airport said in a statement.

Cameron earlier said on Twitter he was ‘shocked and concerned’ by the events in Brussels.

“I will be chairing a COBRA meeting on the events in Brussels later this morning,” Cameron said.

COBRA meetings are held to discuss how the government responds to emergency situations and bring together ministers, police and intelligence officers.

A string of explosions rocked Brussels airport and a city metro station on Tuesday, killing at least 13 people, according to media reports, as Belgium raised its terror threat to the maximum level.

Security measures have been reinforced at the Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris following Tuesday’s bombings in Brussels, an airport source told AFP. 

A full deployment of security officials was underway at all eight terminals of the international airport and its two railway stations, with reinforced checks on trains arriving from Brussels, said the source.