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US - Detroit flight attack
US seeks increased air security as investigation spreads
Article published on the 2009-12-26 Latest update 2009-12-26 17:06 TU
The media outside a property in London on Saturday, where police are searching in connection with a failed attempt by a man to ignite an explosive device on a U.S. passenger plane.
(Photo: Reuters)
The United States has issued a request to airlines around the world for heightened security, according to Dutch authorities. This comes after an attempt to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam, an Airbus A 330.
Dutch authorities said extra security measures would include frisking and extra checks on hand luggage. They also said the measures would apply througout the world on all flights into the United States.
Some passengers on the flight say they heard a loud noise and then saw a flash of light and flames before fellow passengers overpowered a man who they say was attempting to ignite a device. The fire was put out with an extinguisher but the man suffered burns to his leg in the incident.
The 23-year-old man, Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab, who is accused of attempting to set off the device was arrested as soon as the flight landed.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Saturday that the UK was "working closely" with the US to investigate the attack. Police searched a number of addresses on Saturday, including a flat near Oxford Circus where the 23-year-old is believed to live.
A Delta Airbus 330 airliner sits on a runway at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus, Michigan on 25 December.
Photo: Reuters)
He had boarded the flight in Amsterdam's Schipol airport and the incident occured when the plane had begun its descent into Detroit at the time.
Nigeria's Information Minister Dora Akunyili told RFI on Saturday that an investigation had begun.
"The Vice President [Goodluck Jonathan] has ordered an investigation, a high-powered Nigerian investigation, both here and abroad for us to get more information," she said.
She said the investigators would be asking "Is he a Nigerian, and if he's a Nigerian is he resident in Nigeria? Who are his friends, who are his associates?"
"As soon as we get enough information to give the public, we will release it," she added.
Correspondent Dick Rosse in Washington says there are no plans to raise the US's terrorism alert level. "It's currently at the second-highest of five levels but the Homeland Security Department says it's likely that there will be additional screening measures put into effect," he says.
There were 278 passengers and 11 crew on board.
