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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 was an attempt by a passenger to blow up the plane. The suspect was subdued and has been taken into custody for questioning. Sources say a man tried to blow up the jet which was carrying 278 passengers, none of whom was seriously hurt.
The suspect said he was acting of behalf of al-Qaeda, a police source told the Associated Press news agency. The suspect said after he was arrested that he had been acting on behalf of al-Qaeda, a police source told the Associated Press news agency.
President Barack Obama has ordered increased security for air travel.President Barack Obama has ordered increased security for air travel.
The White House spokesman Bill Burton said the president was monitoring the situation. White House spokesman Bill Burton said the president was 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 jetWe 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
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.
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 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''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". Northwest Airlines Flight 253 had been arriving from the Dutch capital Amsterdam when the incident occurred at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Friday afternoon.
A robot could be seen examining the plane with an official nearby AIRLINE TERROR PLOTS 1995: 1995: Al-Qaeda plots to blow up US airliners over the Pacific in "Operation Bojinka"2001: Briton Richard Reid tries to blow up a Paris-Miami flight with 197 people on board using explosives hidden in his shoes2006: Police in Britain announce that they have foiled a series of attacks on transatlantic flights using liquid bombs disguised as soft drinks
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.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.
Another US intelligence official quoted by AP said an explosive device had been used consisting of a "mix of powder and liquid".
The FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.The FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.
A robot was used to check the plane at one stage.A robot was used to check the plane at one stage.
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. A robot could be seen examining the plane with an official nearby
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, which some took to be a firecracker going off.Passengers told AP about a bang and smoke and fire, which some took to be a firecracker going off.
Syed Jafri, a US citizen who had flown from the United Arab Emirates, said the incident occurred during the plane's descent.Syed Jafri, a US citizen who had flown from the United Arab Emirates, said the incident occurred during the plane's descent.
He said he was seated three rows behind the passenger and had seen a glow and noticed a smoke smell.He said he was seated three rows behind the passenger and had seen a glow and noticed a smoke smell.
Then, he said, "a young man behind me jumped on him".Then, he said, "a young man behind me jumped on him".
"Next thing you know, there was a lot of panic," Mr Jafri added."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".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.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".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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The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions