A passenger, reportedly linked to terrorist organization al-Qaeda, set off an explosive device aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit, injuring himself and two other passengers, law enforcement officials said Friday.
The passenger, identified as a Nigerian citizen who tried to blow up the plane but the explosive device failed, told investigators he had acquired the explosive in Yemen, along with instructions as to when it should be used. The Nigerian citizen also claimed, according to ABC, to be an al-Qaeda member. Authorities however, say the credibility of the suspect’s statements are being questioned.
Delta spokeswoman (Northwest is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta) Susan Chana Elliott said the incident occurred during the plane’s descent in Detroit. The “passenger caused a disturbance” by attempting to ignite what was initially reported to be firecrackers. The man was “subdued immediately,” Elliott said.
President Obama, who is vacationing with his family in Hawaii, was notified about the incident and held a conference call with his national security team.
White House spokesman Bill Burton said the President is monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates. According to Burton, the President has instructed his aides “that all appropriate measures be taken to increase security for air travel”.
The Northwest plane, an Airbus 330, was carrying 278 passengers.
Update: Delta Air Lines (DAL) issued a statement regarding the incident onboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253:
“Upon approach to Detroit, a passenger caused a disturbance onboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253. The passenger was subdued immediately and the crew requested that law enforcement meet the flight upon arrival. The flight, operated by Northwest using an Airbus 330-300 aircraft with 278 passengers onboard, landed safely. The passenger was taken into custody and questioned by law enforcement authorities. Delta is cooperating fully with authorities and additional questions should be directed to law enforcement officials who are leading the investigation.”
Source: Delta Air Lines
White House: President Obama Monitoring Failed Terror Attempt From Hawaii
White House officials briefed the president Friday morning after a Nigerian man with reported ties to Al Qaeda was subdued after trying to ignite an explosive substance aboard a Detroit-bound flight As President Barack Obama vacations in Hawaii, officials say he's keeping up to date on what's described as a terror attempt on board a Northwest Airlines plane that was about to land in Detroit.
A Nigerian man was detained on the flight from Amsterdam Friday after he attempted to detonate an explosive device during landing.
The White House says Obama was notified about the incident and discussed it with security officials.
The White House is coordinating briefings for the president through the Homeland Security Department, the Transportation Security Administration and the FBI.
The suspect, identified by Rep Peter King, (R-N.Y.) as Abdul Mudallad, a 23-year-old Nigerian man known in counter-terror circles, told investigators he was acting on behalf of Al Qaeda.
Deputy White House Press Secretary Bill Burton released a statement following the incident Friday.
“The President was notified of the incident this morning between 9:00 and 9:30 Hawaii time by the President's military aide. The President subsequently convened a secure conference call with John Brennan, his Homeland Security and Counter-terrorism Adviser, and Denis McDonough, NSS Chief of Staff.
“He asked to arrange a subsequent secure call and in that call instructed that all appropriate measures be taken to increase security for air travel. The President is actively monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates. There is currently no change to his schedule.”
The attempted attack followed the release of a video from the Taliban showing Private First Calss Bowe Bergdahl, the only known American soldier in captivity.
The Department of Homeland Security said Friday that Secretary Janet Napolitano is monitoring the situation “closely.”
Sources confirmed to Fox News that the terror alert levels for international and domestic flights remains at orange.
