LAX evacuation prompted by ‘suspicious vehicle’ investigation Friday morning

A “suspicious vehicle” Friday morning prompted traffic to be temporarily diverted from the Central Terminal Area at Los Angeles International Airport and Terminal 5 to be briefly evacuated before the area was declared safe.

The traffic diversion was lifted just before 7 a.m., and the airport was working to recover from delays caused by the disruption.

“All clear given at LAX after suspicious vehicle prompts security concern,” the airport tweeted. “Traffic diversions have concluded. Please be patient as LAX resumes normal operations.”

Los Angeles Airport Police Sgt. Rob Pedregon issued a statement around 8:30 a.m., saying, “At 5:20 a.m. this morning, Airport Police responded to an unattended vehicle parked at Terminal 5, arrivals level. As per operational protocols, an explosive detection K9 was requested to clear the vehicle.

“While sweeping the vehicle the K9 (was) alerted to an unknown scent causing the incident to be upgraded to suspicious. As a matter of public safety, traffic was diverted and passengers were restricted from the immediate area as well as the adjacent areas within the terminal. LAPD Bomb Squad was requested.”

Pedregon added that the bomb squad cleared the vehicle, approved the opening of the roadway and that normal operations resumed at 6:55 a.m.

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