Nigerian charged with trying to blow up US airliner

DETROIT: A 23-year-old Nigerian man was charged Saturday with trying to blow up a packed airplane as it descended toward Detroit on Christmas Day, US officials said.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was charged with attempting to destroy the aircraft with a "high explosive" called PETN and with placing a destructive device on the plane, the Justice Department said in a statement.

The criminal complaint made no mention of whether Abdulmutallab was acting alone or if he had ties to a terrorist organization. Initial media reports had said he was linked to al-Qaeda.

Questions mounted over how Abdulmutallab managed to sneak an incendiary device past airport security in Lagos and Amsterdam. Dutch authorities said he was carrying a valid US visa.

"This alleged attack on a US airplane on Christmas Day shows that we must remain vigilant in the fight against terrorism at all times," said Attorney General Eric Holder.

"Had this alleged plot to destroy an airplane been successful, scores of innocent people would have been killed or injured.

"We will continue to investigate this matter vigorously, and we will use all measures available to our government to ensure that anyone responsible for this attempted attack is brought to justice," the statement read.

Passengers told investigators that Abdulmutallab spent about 20 minutes in the bathroom before returning to his seat and pulling a blanket over himself, the Justice Department said.

"Passengers then heard popping noises similar to firecrackers, smelled an odor, and some observed Abdulmutallab's pants leg and the wall of the airplane on fire," the Justice Department said.

"Passengers and crew then subdued Abdulmutallab and used blankets and fire extinguishers to put out the flames. Passengers reported that Abdulmutallab was calm and lucid throughout."