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The suspected attacker was overpowered while trying to light an explosive device on board a flight from the Netherlands as it was making its approach to land.

Airline officials described the explosives as resembling firecrackers. The Northwest Airlines flight, operated by Delta, was flying from Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport. It made a safe landing and all 278 passengers were vacated to safety.

The alleged assailant was taken into custody by US authorities, who said he had confessed to attempting to carry out a terrorist attack on behalf of al-Qaeda. One senior US official described the suspect as a 23-year-old Nigerian.

Obama orders tighter security

He has allegedly told investigators that he acquired the explosive in Yemen, along with instructions on how to use them.

Dutch officials said the man was not a resident or a national of the Netherlands, and boarded Northwest Airlines Flight 253 after arriving on a connecting flight.

The White House said President Barack Obama, who is currently on holidays, convened a conference call with his national security team and ordered tighter security for air travel.

Passengers described hearing a popping noise and then seeing a small fire erupt. Yelling and screaming ensued and some witnesses said they saw the suspect sustain burn injuries.

References

1. Google.com