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US plane 'attack' probe widens | US plane 'attack' probe widens |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A Nigerian reported to have links to al-Qaeda is being questioned after an apparent attempt to blow up a passenger jet arriving in the US. | |
They say the 23-year-old man was trying to ignite an explosive device as the airliner 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. |
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 former 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 Northwest Airlines Flight 253 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 News | ANALYSIS 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. | |
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 suspect boarded a KLM flight from Lagos to Amsterdam's Schipol airport, then connected to the 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. |
'Unpredictable measures' | |
Officials have described the device the suspect allegedly tried to ignite about 20 minutes before landing as a mixture of powder and liquid which failed to go off properly. | |
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 probed | 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 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. |
"These measures are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same thing everywhere," Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano said. | |
Air Canada announced that passengers on flights to the US would not be able to leave their seats in the final hour of flight, nor have access to cabin luggage. | |
Were you on the plane? Were you affected by the incident? Send us your stories using the form below. | Were you on the plane? Were you affected by the incident? Send us your stories using the form below. |
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |