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Terror theory for US jet incident Terror theory for US jet incident
(10 minutes later)
An incident on an airliner arriving in the US city of Detroit from the Netherlands may have been an attempted attack, American media reports say. An incident on an airliner arriving in the US city of Detroit from the Netherlands may have been an attempted attack, US intelligence sources say.
An official said 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.An official said 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.
Early indications are that the suspect said he was acting of behalf of al-Qaeda, a police source told AP.Early indications are that the suspect said he was acting of behalf of al-Qaeda, a police source told AP.
Panic ensued aboard the Airbus 330 and several people were slightly hurt.Panic ensued aboard the Airbus 330 and several people were slightly hurt.
The White House says President Barack Obama is monitoring the situation.The White House says President Barack Obama is monitoring the situation.
The president "instructed that all appropriate measures be taken to increase security for air travel", spokesman Bill Burton told reporters.The president "instructed that all appropriate measures be taken to increase security for air travel", spokesman Bill Burton told reporters.
The identity of the suspect is unclear. Some media reports media suggest he is Nigerian.The identity of the suspect is unclear. Some media reports media suggest he is Nigerian.
'Powder and liquid'
The Associated Press's source, whom it described as a "senior US counter-terror official", said a passenger aboard the flight in Detroit had been planning to blow up the plane but the explosive device failed.
The official said the passenger was being questioned on Friday evening.
It was not immediately clear why the passenger would want to attack the flight, AP notes.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was continuing, the agency added.
Another US intelligence official quoted by AP said an explosive device had been used consisting of a "mix of powder and liquid".
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.
The flight landed safely at the airport just before 1200 local time (1700 GMT).The flight landed safely at the airport just before 1200 local time (1700 GMT).
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.
The Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating. The FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.
In a statement, the US Transportation Security Administration said a search of the aircraft and all baggage was taking place in a "remote area".
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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