dead here, at more than 100 injured, including nine americans, mormon missionaries richard norby, joseph empey and mason wells from utah, and an american air traveling back home with his family. but the horror was still unfolding. 9:11 am, just an hour after the airport explosion, seven miles away another suicide bomb goes off near the offices of the european union. this time in a packed metro car, as it was leaving the station. in the dark tunnel, passengers climbed out of train cars. the terrified screams of a child. the path to safety down the dimly-lit tracks. at least 21 people dead. more than 100 wounded here, too. and at 4:19 p.m., eight hours after the terror began, isis claimed responsibility. brussels tonight , a city gripped by fear and uncertainty. >> and alex marquardt with us live again this half hour from brussels. alex, you told us at 6:30, the city largely shut down tonight. what do we know about the subway systems there, and the airport, of course, which has been locked down today for quite some time. authorities are trying as hard transportation system back up and running. t

joseph empey was able to call his parents from his hospital bed. >> you're okay? >> yeah, my right hand is also kind of badly burned. >> he was extremely close to the blast. words can't describe the joy and the relief that we felt to hear his voice. empey is 20. his injuries include second and third degree burns. norbi is 66 and attends this church in lehigh, utah. this is the third terror attack for mason wells. he was only a block away from the boston marathon bombing. wells was also in france last november when terrorists attacked paris. >> i just have to think that he was prepared in some way to go through this. >> reporter: the u.s. state department says ty killed in the attack but they are still trying to account for all u.s. citizens and government employees. clayton sandell, abc news, denver. >>> the final rounds of march madness in are in less than two weeks. security in houston now going to be even tighter than planned. bomb-sniffing dogs will check out nrg stadium before the final four but the more than 100,000 fans are unlikely to notice other measures

amber empey parents of attack victim joseph empey court empey parents of attack victim joseph empey --sot-- "in line for about two minutes and then everything went orange." --butted with-- "blacked out...and then pandaemonium." --butted with-- "i'm heartbroken for everyone who passed away and everyone who got hurt." 60-year-old richard norby and 19-year- old mason wells are the other injured missionaries. listen to this, family members say mason wells and his mother were also present at the 2013 boston marathon bombings. in the studio, robert guaderrama, fox19 now. there are no specific credible threats in the united states, but security at cvg has been heightened after the attacks... sara...what are you seeing around the airport? washington ap - homeland security secretary jeh jay johnson says there is no "specific, credible intelligence" of any plots against the united states like those carried out in brussels. as a precaution, the homeland security department is stepping up security at major u.s. airports and rail and transit stations around the country. johnson says dhs officials

mormon missionaries richard norby, joseph empey and mason wells from utah, and an american air force lieutenant colonel traveling back home with his family. but the horror was still unfolding. 9:11 am, just an hour after the airport explosion, seven miles away another suicide bomb goes off near the offices of the european union. this time in a packed metro car, as it was leaving the station. in the dark tunnel, passengers climbed out of train cars. the terrified screams of a child. the path to safety down the dimly-lit tracks. at least 21 people dead. more than 100 wounded here, too. and at 4:19 p.m., eight hours after the terror began, isis claimed responsibility. brussels tonight , a city gripped by fear and uncertainty. >> and alex marquardt with us live again this half hour from brussels. alex, you told us at 6:30, the city largely shut down tonight. what do we know about the subway systems there, and the airport, of course, which had been locked down today for quite some time. >> reporter: david, the belgian authorities are trying as hard as they can to get the public transporta

richard norby, mason wells, and joseph empey. joseph's family grateful he's alive. the camera rolling when mason spoke to his parents for the first time after the blast. >> the burns aren't too bad, so they're pretty sure they're not going to scar. >> where are the burns? >> on the right side of my head, kind of by my ear. >> by your ear? by your eyes are okay? >> yeah. but my right hand is also kind of badly burped. >> how long will be in the hospital? >> couple weeks. >> oh. >> reporter: while so many others still search tonight. new york city natives alexander and sascha pinkczowskipinczowski, missing. his fiance's father, on his way to brussels to search. >> you live for those scenarios, you think about those, but you can never imagine that something like this would happen to your own daughter, your own family. and it's -- it's horrible beyond imagination. >> reporter: and tonight, the first face of the confirmed dead here. adelma tapia ruiz, on her way to new york to visit family. her husband and twin daughters at the airport to see her off. an hour later, afte

the family of one of the other missionaries joseph empey says he is in good spirits. >> we love him a lot and hopes he gets all the way better. >> the justice department says an air force family of six were taken to the hospital. the unidentified air force service member is stationed at a base in the netherlands. >>> jeh johnson says no incredible intelligence pointing to an attack in the u.s. but the brussels bombings stepped up security in this country. extra security was employed at major airports and transit hubs across the u.s. security officials are considering additional screening for air travelers coming from belgium into the u.s. >>> president obama is in arrived in wound buenos aires overnight. he attended a baseball game between the tampa bay rays and the cuban national team. the president was asked if he would skip the game after given the attacks happening in belgium. >> they can't produce anything. they don't have a message that appeals to the vast majority of muslims or the vast majority of people around the world. what they can do is scare and make people afraid. and d

two mormon missionaries wounded in the attack are back in utah mason wells and joseph empey are treated at a hospital and two others remains hospitalized in brussels. >>> officials say they were not to blame for the hijacking of a jepgs jet. the jet was hijacked and forced to land where the situation was solve peacefully. holly williams is in cyprus with more. >> reporter: we still do not know the true motives of this hijacker was making this plane land in cyprus. we spoke with one of the flight attendants and she said the hijacker led most of them go she said the hijacker was demanding the release of 63 prisoners who were held in egypt. others suggest he was asking for political asylum here in europe or simply that he wanted to speak with his ex-wife. whatever his mofgstivations, one was allowed to go free and then the hijacker calmly walked on to the tarmac where he was arrested. the hijacker was passing through airport security in alexandria. >>> one passenger on board the flight took time to pose with the hijacker. he said he wanted to get a closer look at the apparent explosive bel

richard norby, mason wells, and joseph empey. s family grateful he's alive. >> we love him a lot. we're just excited to see him again. >> while so many others still search, new york city natives alexander and feared missing. they i don't know ifs their mother tuesday but the phone line went dead after the explosion. >> he lives for those scenarios. you think about those but you can never imagine that something like this would happen to your own daughter, your own family and it's horrible beyond imagination. >> reporter: and the first face of the confirmed dead here. adele ruiz on her way to new york to visit family. her husband and twin daughters at the airport to see her off. an hour later after that airport attack, the other explosions seven miles away on that crowded subway. we went to find the young american brian carole from washington, d.c. who pry pried open the door on that subway after the explosion. he told us he knew about the airport attack that morning and even debated whether or not to get on that subway. he did. >>

the 19-year-old was at the airport, along with mormon missionaries richard norby, joseph empey and fanny rachel plane, all recovering. ironically mason was in paris when 130 people were killed and also survived the attack. >> i think that experience of the chaos and civil unrest prepared mason for whatever he experienced today. >> reporter: for parents news campaign stakingly low. lauren cleary, monica hall and kate duffy, students from quinnipiac university, were also at the airport during the attack. janet cleary got the call at 3:00 a.m. that lauren and her friends were all safe. >> she called and crying hysterically, that you know, that she -- that there was a bombing, that she was at the airport and a bomb went off. >> reporter: some in belgium. universities like wisconsin, illinois and northeastern thankfully tweeting everyone is safe. meg hilling is with the group of 16 journalist students at mizzou. >> i do feel safe to an extent. i mean, it's made me realize that anything can happen anywhere. >> reporter: tonight most americans in brussels are safe. their families thankful and p

among those...9 americans... including mormon missionaries richard norby, joseph empey and mason wells?all seriously seige...here in the states...law enforcement officials whipping out the armor. security -- beefed up at major transportation hubs across america. including new york...a top targetsot - mayor bill de blasio (ray will pick sot)ingested in interplay as 5533 de blasio security presser times square wabc @17:18:52 - 17:19:00"and seeing how well protected it is?and seeing really the elaborate and sophisticated operations the nypd ghas in place to protect everyone. and as brussels mourns...an international sign of solidarity. messages of prayers and condolences...scrib bled in chalk on the streets of brussels. other late developments tonight.. police are getting a break from the taxi driver who brought the men to the airport.. telling officers exactly where he picked them up. the state department is urging americans in europe right now to be extra careful. in the united states... police departments in new york.. washington.. are visibly on patrol. around 2-dozen university of ci

. >> reporter: at the airport with him that morning, fellow missionaries richard norby and joseph empey, both remain in the hospital. karen northshield is an american trainer living in belgium, who was also injured in the airport attack. she's in critical but stable condition. about a dozen americans were injured, including one now being treated at leuven hospital. >> when people started coming in on tuesday, what did you see? >> most horrible wounds i've ever seen. it's even worst, i think, in a war zone. >> reporter: every patient riddled with shrapnel. the larger pieces, including nails and screws, turned offver to investigators. >> the biggest pieces of shrapnel have been removed. >> reporter: as some victims begin their recovery, others begin to grieve. the family of alexander and sascha pinczowski, siblings who lived in new york, confirming today both died in the airport attack. in a statement, the family saying they are grateful to have closure and thankful for the loving support. separately, the state department confirmed two americans were also killed but has not identified the

the 19-year-old was at the airport along with mormon missionaries richard norby, joseph empey and fannieain, all are recovering. ironically, mason was in paris when 130 people were killed. and also survived the boston marathon terror attack. >> i think that experience of the chaos and civil unrest prepared mason toor whatever experience. >> for parents, news came painstakingly slow. lauren cleary, monica hall and kate duffy, students from quinnipiac university were also at the airport during the attack. janet cleary got the call at 3:00 a.m. that lauren and her friends were all safe. >> she called and crying, hysterically that you know, that she, there was a bombing, that she was at the airport. and a bomb went off. >> nbc's miguel almaguer reporting. >>> now to other news we're following today. rob ford, the controversial former toronto mayor passed away tuesday. he became mired in scandal three years ago, into his term, three years into his term when a video alleged to show him smoking crack cocaine much after denying the account. ford later admitted using the drug in a drunken stupor,

hundreds of injuries, among those nine americans including mormon missionaries richard are nor by, joseph empey and mason wells all seriously hurt of hope and condolences. belgium remains at the highest security threat level tonight. isis claiming those attacks just hours later. now the state department warning americans against travel to europe saying terrorists are planning attacks right now. molly hunter, abc news, brussells. >> our thanks to molly hunter there in brussels. a lot of people, so many images coming out of brussels over the last 24 hours. many people remembering the victims. the manhunt is on for that man on the right. >> people wondering what it means for airport security across the country, across the nation and across the world especially as the spring break season is beginning. so many people worrying about families traveling. the faa looking into what action they may be taking. >> you saw that image i showed you a few seconds ago. authorities are looking for that man seen walking with the bombers at the airport. >> there have been more raids across belgium and an explosive

the 19-year-old was at the airport, along with mormon missionaries richard norby, joseph empey and fanny rachel plane, all recovering. ironically mason was in paris when 130 people were killed and also survived the boston marathon terror attack. >> i think that experience of the chaos and civil unrest prepared mason for whatever he experienced today. >> reporter: for parents news campaign stakingly low. lauren cleary, monica hall and kate duffy, students from quinnipiac university, were also at the airport during the attack. janet cleary got the call at 3:00 a.m. that lauren and her friends were all safe. >> she called and crying hysterically, that you know, that she -- that there was a bombing, that she was at the airport and a bomb went off. >> reporter: some 1,500 students study in belgium. universities like wisconsin, illinois and northeastern thankfully tweeting everyone is safe. meg hilling is with the group of 16 journalist students at mizzou. >> i do feel safe to an extent. i mean, it's made me realize that anything can happen anywhere. >> reporter: tonight most americans in brus

mormon missionaries richard norby, joseph empey and mason unfolding. 9:11 a.m., just an hour after the airport explosions, seven miles away, another bomb goes off near the offices of the european union. this time, in a packed metro car, as it was leaving the station. in the dark tunnel, passengers climbed out of train cars. the terrified screams of a child. the path to safety down the dimly-lit tracks. this man still clutching a bouquet of flowers. in other metro cars, people waited, confused. >> more panic set in. some people started running, some people started crying, some people just stood still in disbelief and tried to mauck sense of whatever was going on. >> reporter: the car where the bomb went off, a twisted mass of metal. outside, more smoke as the sidewalk becomes a makeshift triage center. first responders carrying some victims. others sitting dazed, as ambulances rushed to the scene. more than 100 wounded here, too. and at 4:19 p.m., eight hours after the terror began, isis claimed responsibility. brussels tonight, a city gripped by fear and uncertainty. this is normally o

missionaries traveling together from utah. 66-year-old richard norby is in a medically induced coma and joseph empey and mason wells, both recovering from shrapnel injuries and second-degree burns and belgian pro basketball player sebastian bellin who played college ball in the u.s. seen here following the terror attacks suffered serious leg and hip injuries. meanwhile, the state department is working to account for other americans as families desperately await word on their loved ones, including new york brother and sister sascha and alexander pinczowski on the phone with a relative when the airport blast happened. they haven't been heard from since. the brandts say they and hundreds of others were evacuated out of the cold airport tarmac and told virtually nothing. >> it seemed like forever. a couple of hours maybe, and then one -- a flight attendant got on to one of the planes and opened the emergency door and was just throwing blankets out to women and children. >> all those evacuated were told to leave their belongings right where they were in the airport. no one knows when they will be able to

. >> reporter: mormon missionaries seriously hurt in the blast, richard norby, joseph empey and mason wells are from utah. they were at the airport to see off a fellow missionary also injured, 20-year-old fanny clain of france. wells is 19. he was burned and hit by shrapnel but able to call his parents from his hospital bed. >> but your eyes are okay. >> yeah, and my right hand is blast. words can't describe the joy and the relief that we felt to hear his voice. >> reporter: empey is 20. his injuries include second and third-degree burns. norby is 66 and attends this church in lehigh, utah. remarkably this is the third terror attack for mason wells. he was only a block away from the boston marathon bombing. wells was also in france last november when terrorists attacked paris. >> i just have to think that he was prepared in some way to go through this. >> reporter: the u.s. state department says they do not believe that any americans were killed in the attack but they are still trying to account for all u.s. citizens and government employees. clayton sandell, abc news, denver. >> and