OT...Anyone flying in from LAX? Heard the airport CLOSED DOWN......

[mhshapiro]

LAX reopened about noon today. The Los Angeles Police Chief held a news conference, which indicated that the "explosion" was caused by a flashlight with leaking C batteries in a passenger's bag. Unfortunately, it was one of those waterproof flashlights, so the gases from the leaking batteries built up inside the flashlight until it exploded. Several people nearby suffered minor injuries.

 

The security breach occurred in another terminal, but by coincidence, happened at approximately the same time. Unfortunately, the security breach occurred in a terminal that is connected to two or three other terminals (can't remember exactly). Thus, several terminals ended up being evacuated.

 

This caused authorities to close access to the main airport and delayed outgoing operations.

[anjan]

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Busy Los Angeles International Airport is getting back to normal after "two unrelated security breaches" forced the airport to close for several hours, Mayor James Hahn said Saturday afternoon.

 

"We do not believe these incidents are connected or related to terrorism," Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Amy Van Walter said.

 

In one incident, eight people -- five TSA screeners and three airport baggage handlers -- were injured after a "small explosion" in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, Hahn said.

 

Hahn described the injuries as minor, with workers mostly complaining of ringing in the ears. The explosion occurred as a TSA screener searched the luggage of a Korean Air passenger, Los Angeles police Chief William Bratton said.

 

The screener noticed a plastic flashlight inside the baggage, and "apparently the batteries malfunctioned, causing a small explosion, disintegrating the flashlight," Bratton said.

 

A gas buildup from the malfunctioning batteries inside the flashlight is suspected of causing the explosion, said Chief John Miller of the LAPD bomb disposal unit.

 

"Based on what we know so far it appears to be an accidental explosion," Miller said.

 

In the other incident, a man apparently waving boarding passes went up the exit stairs of the United Airlines baggage claim area into the terminal, said Special Agent Matt McLaughlin with the Los Angeles branch of the FBI.

 

The unidentified man's breach of security led airport police to evacuate terminals 6, 7 and 8, and rescreen everyone inside. The man has not been found, Bratton said.

 

About 30 departing United flights were listed as delayed, and 17 of the airline's inbound flights were listed as canceled or delayed. according to The Associated Press.

 

Although the rest of the flights scheduled for Saturday are expected to operate, passengers were told to check with individual airlines for delays, an airport spokeswoman said.

 

CNN's Miguel ***** and Jeanne Meserve contributed to this report.