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US plane 'attack' probe widens US plane 'attack' probe widens
(30 minutes later)
A Nigerian reported to have links to al-Qaeda is being questioned after an attempted act of terrorism on a plane arriving in the US, officials say.A Nigerian reported to have links to al-Qaeda is being questioned after an attempted act of terrorism on a plane arriving in the US, officials say.
They say the 23-year-old man was trying to ignite an explosive device as the passenger jet approached Detroit from Amsterdam in the Netherlands.They say the 23-year-old man was trying to ignite an explosive device as the passenger jet approached Detroit from Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
He was overpowered by some of the 278 passengers and 11 crew. Reports say he burnt his leg.He was overpowered by some of the 278 passengers and 11 crew. Reports say he burnt his leg.
Police in London are searching a house where the man is thought to have lived.Police in London are searching a house where the man is thought to have lived.
The suspect is believed to have studied at a university in the city.The suspect is believed to have studied at a university in the city.
I didn't hesitate a moment, just wanted to stop it with whatever I can do Jasper SchuringaPassengerI didn't hesitate a moment, just wanted to stop it with whatever I can do Jasper SchuringaPassenger
President Barack Obama, on holiday in Hawaii, has ordered increased security for air travel.President Barack Obama, on holiday in Hawaii, has ordered increased security for air travel.
Nigeria has ordered its security agencies to investigate the incident and verify the suspect's identity and motives. It has also said they will "co-operate fully" with the US investigations.Nigeria has ordered its security agencies to investigate the incident and verify the suspect's identity and motives. It has also said they will "co-operate fully" with the US investigations.
The name of the Nigerian has not been released officially, but US media reports named him as either Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab or Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab.The name of the Nigerian has not been released officially, but US media reports named him as either Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab or Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab.
Reports suggest that he may be the son of a prominent Nigerian banker, with his father quoted as saying he was meeting security officials in the capital Abuja to discuss the arrest. Reports suggest that he may be the son of a former Nigerian banker, with his father quoted as saying he was meeting security officials in the capital Abuja to discuss the arrest.
The man who was apprehended on the plane had third-degree burns, said Peter King, a Congressman on the US House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee.The man who was apprehended on the plane had third-degree burns, said Peter King, a Congressman on the US House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee.
Passenger Jasper Schuringa, who was sitting on the opposite side of the plane to the man, said he did not hesitate to act when he realised something was not right.Passenger Jasper Schuringa, who was sitting on the opposite side of the plane to the man, said he did not hesitate to act when he realised something was not right.
ANALYSIS Gordon Corera, security correspondent, BBC NewsANALYSIS Gordon Corera, security correspondent, BBC News
The authorities will be seeking to establish whether the alleged attack did involve a mix of different substances kept close to the man's body - as suggested - and whether it could have brought down the plane. They will then want to know if these should be detected by current security arrangements, and whether it was simply a failure somewhere along his journey which allowed them through or whether they are in some way undetectable.The authorities will be seeking to establish whether the alleged attack did involve a mix of different substances kept close to the man's body - as suggested - and whether it could have brought down the plane. They will then want to know if these should be detected by current security arrangements, and whether it was simply a failure somewhere along his journey which allowed them through or whether they are in some way undetectable.
If they are undetectable, this could require a new overhaul of airport procedures with serious consequences for passengers.If they are undetectable, this could require a new overhaul of airport procedures with serious consequences for passengers.
'Attack' raises fresh security fears'Attack' raises fresh security fears
"Suddenly we heard a bang and then there was smoke and fire and I just knew this is a terrorist attack."Suddenly we heard a bang and then there was smoke and fire and I just knew this is a terrorist attack.
"I didn't hesitate a moment, just wanted to stop it with whatever I can do.""I didn't hesitate a moment, just wanted to stop it with whatever I can do."
The Dutch counter-terrorism agency NCTB said the Nigerian man boarded a KLM flight from Lagos to Amsterdam's Schipol airport, then connected to a Northwest Airlines flight to Detroit.The Dutch counter-terrorism agency NCTB said the Nigerian man boarded a KLM flight from Lagos to Amsterdam's Schipol airport, then connected to a Northwest Airlines flight to Detroit.
A preliminary investigation found that security procedures were followed correctly, and the man had a valid US visa.A preliminary investigation found that security procedures were followed correctly, and the man had a valid US visa.
The NCTB said in a statement it could not rule out the potential for dangerous items to pass through security, especially objects that current security technology cannot detect.The NCTB said in a statement it could not rule out the potential for dangerous items to pass through security, especially objects that current security technology cannot detect.
London's Metropolitan Police said its officers were liaising with the US authorities.London's Metropolitan Police said its officers were liaising with the US authorities.
University College London said it had a student with a similar name enrolled on a mechanical engineering course until mid-2008, but could not confirm whether this was the same person being questioned by US authorities.University College London said it had a student with a similar name enrolled on a mechanical engineering course until mid-2008, but could not confirm whether this was the same person being questioned by US authorities.
'New method''New method'
Officials have described the device the suspect allegedly tried to ignite as a mixture of powder and liquid which failed to go off properly.Officials have described the device the suspect allegedly tried to ignite as a mixture of powder and liquid which failed to go off properly.
One terrorism expert said it looked as though a new way of concealing explosives on the body was involved.One terrorism expert said it looked as though a new way of concealing explosives on the body was involved.
The suspect's name was in a database indicating "a significant terrorist connection" although it did not appear on a "no-fly" list, said Mr King.The suspect's name was in a database indicating "a significant terrorist connection" although it did not appear on a "no-fly" list, said Mr King.
FAILED AIRLINE TERROR PLOTS 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: UK police foil attacks on transatlantic flights using liquid bombs disguised as soft drinks 'Smoke and screams' on plane UK link in bomb attempt probedFAILED AIRLINE TERROR PLOTS 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: UK police foil attacks on transatlantic flights using liquid bombs disguised as soft drinks 'Smoke and screams' on plane UK link in bomb attempt probed
Mr Abdulmutallab reportedly told investigators he had links to al-Qaeda and had received the explosives in Yemen.Mr Abdulmutallab reportedly told investigators he had links to al-Qaeda and had received the explosives in Yemen.
Mr King also said investigators were looking into whether the incident was part of a larger plot and a "worldwide alert" had been raised.Mr King also said investigators were looking into whether the incident was part of a larger plot and a "worldwide alert" had been raised.
The US Department of Homeland Security said "additional screening measures" had been put into effect since the incident.The US Department of Homeland Security said "additional screening measures" had been put into effect since the incident.
Northwest Airlines Flight 253 had begun its descent towards Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Friday afternoon when the incident occurred.Northwest Airlines Flight 253 had begun its descent towards Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Friday afternoon when the incident occurred.
The Airbus 330, which had originated in Amsterdam, was about 20 minutes from landing when passengers noticed something was wrong.The Airbus 330, which had originated in Amsterdam, was about 20 minutes from landing when passengers noticed something was wrong.
One of them, Syed Jafri, said he had been seated three rows behind the suspect and had seen a glow and smelled smoke.One of them, Syed Jafri, said he had been seated three rows behind the suspect and had seen a glow and smelled smoke.
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.
As the suspect was being tackled, he was reportedly shouting and a passenger said she had heard the word "Afghanistan".As the suspect was being tackled, he was reportedly shouting and a passenger said she had heard the word "Afghanistan".
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".
A robot could be seen examining the plane with an official nearbyA robot could be seen examining the plane with an official nearby
After "yelling and screaming", the passenger added, "they took him out and it was really quick".After "yelling and screaming", the passenger added, "they took him out and it was really quick".
Fellow passenger Melinda Dennis said the man had been severely burned on one leg, and a fire extinguisher and water were used to put out the fire.Fellow passenger Melinda Dennis said the man had been severely burned on one leg, and a fire extinguisher and water were used to put out the fire.
The suspect later told the US 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 ABC television network reports.The suspect later told the US 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 ABC television network reports.
Dr Sally Leivesley, an adviser on terrorism and public protection, told the BBC: "This has looked as though it's a first attempt of a new way to use the body to conceal explosives."Dr Sally Leivesley, an adviser on terrorism and public protection, told the BBC: "This has looked as though it's a first attempt of a new way to use the body to conceal explosives."
"They may be concealing the explosives on the human body - but on the inside upper leg, and we only know this by seeing a very badly burnt leg on the suspected perpetrator.""They may be concealing the explosives on the human body - but on the inside upper leg, and we only know this by seeing a very badly burnt leg on the suspected perpetrator."
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