A passenger on an aircraft flying to the United States city of Detroit on Friday failed in his attempt to carry out a bomb attack.

Shortly before the plane landed, he attempted to ignite an explosion in a powdery substance. However, he succeeded only in burning his leg before he was overpowered and the flames were extinguished. A few other passengers were injured.
 

The man's name has been given as Unar Farouk Abdul Mutallab, a 23-year-old Nigerian who is listed in a US database of suspicious persons. Mr Mutallab said he was acting on orders from al-Qaeda and that his goal had been to cause an explosion above US territory. US media say he was following a technical course at University College in London.

US President Barack Obama, who is currently on holiday in Hawaii, was informed about the failed attack soon after it took place and immediately ordered increased security for air traffic.

Schiphol
Mr Mutallab travelled from Nigeria to Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport in the Netherlands. There he changed planes and boarded Northwest Airlines flight 253. How he managed to smuggle the explosive substance on board the plane remains a mystery.

A representative of the Dutch Royal Gendarmerie said Mr Mutallab did not leave the airport’s transit area, where travellers transfer from one plane to another. Nor did he go through passport control.

Hundred-percent checks
Schiphol airport and the Royal Gendarmerie are declining to comment further on the case. However, the Dutch National Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism has let it be known that US authorities have asked all airlines whose planes fly to the US to increase their safety measures.

Therefore, with immediate effect, all passengers at Schipol airport will now be frisked before entering the plane and all their bags will be searched. The increased measures apply not just to Schiphol but also to all airports throughout the world.

A Schiphol representative said the airport does not expect the hundred-percent checks to cause too many problems because Saturday is a quiet day for travelling. The airport will put extra personnel in place to cope with any possible disruptions to travel.

Freedom Party demand
In the Netherlands, the Freedom Party (PVV) is demanding a meeting with Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin as soon as possible. The party wants to know how it was possible to smuggle explosives on board a plane at Schipol.

Dutch hero
Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf is reporting that Dutchman Jasper Schuringa, who was travelling on the plane, played a hero’s role in preventing the attack. Minutes before landing the 32-year-old entrepreneur from Amsterdam saw the Nigerian man stand up suddenly and set light to something. Without hesitating, he dived on Mr Mutallab and held him so he couldn’t move until after the plane had landed. In doing so he burned both his hands, ripped his clothing and lost his shoes.