News

Shoe Bomb Threat Heightened in U.S.

by Jenny Hollander

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned airlines of the possibility that passengers traveling into America might be hiding explosives in their shoes. The warning comes after what Homeland Security calls a "credible threat" to airlines from international travelers planning to bring shoe bombs into the U.S. Though officials said there's no specific threat, nor a specific targeted airline, "very recent intelligence" had found evidence of possibly planned shoe bombs.

According to Homeland Security, the threat isn't linked to the Winter Games, which finish in Sochi Sunday. The department told press:

Out of abundance of caution, DHS regularly shares relevant information with domestic and international partners about relevant threat information as we work to meet our mission of keeping the traveling public... These types of regular communications are part of that important priority.

NBC reported that the level of concern for high-level officials about this threat is "moderate." After the threat, airlines will be paying closer attention to passengers' shoes aboard their flights, the outlet added. The passengers may be subject to more screenings and put downs, and Homeland Security recommended that the explosive-detector swabs be used on shoes in carry-on bags.

Added Homeland Security, more comfortingly:

Our security apparatus includes a number of measures, both seen and unseen, informed by the latest intelligence and as always DHS continue to adjust security measures to fit an ever evolving threat environment.