Passengers leave the customs area at the Detroit airport (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
A Nigerian man tried to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight on the way to Detroit from Amsterdam on Christmas Day.
Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab, from Nigeria, apparently had bombs attached to his legs and tried to ignite them about 20 minutes before the plane landed. Passengers heard a bunch of popping sounds like firecrackers but the mix of liquid and powder didn't result in an explosion. A number of passengers jumped the man to subdue him, including one who jumped over people to get to the man. Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab has been linked to Al-Qaida and was apparently told to blow up the plane over US soil. His legs were badly burned in the flight and authorities met the plane upon it's safe arrival in Detroit.
As a result of this attack, the Homeland Security office has stated security measures will be stepped up as a result of this incident. President Obama is being kept informed of the details while vacationing in Hawaii with his family.
For more information on this incident, check out the AP article - Man attempts to blow up Northwest flight.
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