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US plane 'attack' probe widens Nigeria man charged over 'attack'
(20 minutes 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. A Nigerian man has been charged with attempting to destroy a plane after he allegedly tried to detonate a device on 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. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, was apprehended by passengers and crew shortly before the Northwest Airlines plane landed in Detroit from Amsterdam.
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 he is thought to have lived.
Police in London are searching a house where the man is thought to have lived. US 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.
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.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.
"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."
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.
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.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.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
Members of a wealthy Nigerian family have confirmed to journalists that he is the son of the former chairman of First Bank of Nigeria, the BBC's Caroline Duffield reports from Lagos.Members of a wealthy Nigerian family have confirmed to journalists that he is the son of the former chairman of First Bank of Nigeria, the BBC's Caroline Duffield reports from Lagos.
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.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''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.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 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.
US network ABC is reporting that Mr Abdulmutallab has apparently given investigators about his month-long training by al-Qaeda.US network ABC is reporting that Mr Abdulmutallab has apparently given investigators about his month-long training by al-Qaeda.
The explosives were sewn into his underwear in Yemen, ABC reported, for what was supposed to be a suicide attack.The explosives were sewn into his underwear in Yemen, ABC reported, for what was supposed to be a suicide attack.
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."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.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.
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