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'Terror attack bid' on US plane 'Terror attack bid' on US plane
(20 minutes later)
An incident on an airliner arriving in Detroit from the Netherlands was an attempted terrorist attack, a senior administration official told the BBC.An incident on an airliner arriving in Detroit from the Netherlands was an attempted terrorist attack, a senior administration official told the BBC.
Sources say the incident, in which firecrackers were initially said to have been set off, had been an attempt by a passenger to blow up the plane. Sources say the incident was an attempt by a passenger to blow up the plane. The suspect was subdued and has been taken into custody for questioning.
Early indications are that the suspect said he was acting of behalf of al-Qaeda, a police source told AP. The suspect said he was acting of behalf of al-Qaeda, a police source told the Associated Press news agency.
Panic ensued aboard the Airbus 330 and several people were slightly hurt. President Barack Obama has ordered increased security for air travel.
We heard a little pop, then a bit of a smoke and then some flames and yelling and screaming and then somebody said the guy was subdued unnamed eyewitness aboard the jet The White House spokesman Bill Burton said the president was monitoring the situation.
The White House says President Barack Obama is monitoring the situation. We heard a little pop, then a bit of a smoke and then some flames and yelling and screaming and then somebody said the guy was subdued Eyewitness aboard the jet
The president "instructed that all appropriate measures be taken to increase security for air travel", spokesman Bill Burton told reporters.
US and Dutch media report that the suspect is a Nigerian national studying in London.US and Dutch media report that the suspect is a Nigerian national studying in London.
'Powder and liquid'
A source described by the Associated Press as a "senior US counter-terror official" said a passenger aboard the flight had been planning to blow up the plane but the device failed.A source described by the Associated Press as a "senior US counter-terror official" said a passenger aboard the flight had been planning to blow up the plane but the device failed.
The official said the passenger was being questioned on Friday evening.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was continuing, the agency added.The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was continuing, the agency added.
'Taped to his leg'
Another US intelligence official quoted by AP said an explosive device had been used consisting of a "mix of powder and liquid".Another US intelligence official quoted by AP said an explosive device had been used consisting of a "mix of powder and liquid".
According to a report on the ABC television network, the suspect told authorities he had had explosive powder taped to his leg and used a syringe of chemicals to mix with the powder that was to cause explosion.
The FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.The FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.
'Yelling and screaming'
Susan Elliott, spokeswoman for Delta Airlines - the parent company of Northwest - said earlier that 278 passengers had been on board Flight 253 when the incident took place at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Friday afternoon.Susan Elliott, spokeswoman for Delta Airlines - the parent company of Northwest - said earlier that 278 passengers had been on board Flight 253 when the incident took place at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Friday afternoon.
At least one passenger was taken to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor.At least one passenger was taken to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor.
Passengers told AP about a bang and smoke and fire. Passengers told AP about a bang and smoke and fire, which some took to be a firecracker going off.
"We heard a little pop, then a bit of a smoke and then some flames and yelling and screaming and then somebody said the guy was subdued," said one. Syed Jafri, a US citizen who had flown from the United Arab Emirates, said the incident occurred during the plane's descent.
"They took him out and it was really quick." He said he was seated three rows behind the passenger and had seen a glow and noticed a smoke smell.
Another passenger said the experience had been "scary": "It was a loud firecracker that went off and there was a fire on the plane after a few seconds. It was very scary for everyone." Then, he said, "a young man behind me jumped on him".
A third eyewitness said a man had reacted to the explosion by jumping "over all the other people and he took care of it so the fire went out". "Next thing you know, there was a lot of panic," Mr Jafri added.
Another unnamed passenger heard a "little pop", then saw "a bit of a smoke and then some flames".
After "yelling and screaming", the attacker was subdued. "They took him out and it was really quick," the passenger added.
Another unnamed eyewitness said a man had reacted to the explosion by jumping "over all the other people and he took care of it so the fire went out".
Were you on the plane when the firecrackers went off? Were you affected by the incident? Send us your stories using the form below.Were you on the plane when the firecrackers went off? Were you affected by the incident? Send us your stories using the form below.
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