WORLD CAPITALS — A botched terror plot to blow up a Detroit-bound plane has put the world on alert, triggering massive security crackdowns in several countries and high-profile investigations into the attempt.
"We are in liaison with the US authorities and searches in London are being conducted as part of ongoing enquiries," a Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Anti-terror police raided a number of buildings in London as part of investigation into a bid by a Nigerian man to blow up the Northwest Airline Flight coming from Amsterdam to Detroit on Friday.
"The searches are being carried out at more than one address," the spokeswoman said, declining to give further details.
Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, tried to set off a sophisticated explosive device on the plane on Christmas Eve before he was overpowered by passengers.
The Nigerian man told US authorities that he had used a syringe filled with chemicals to mix with powder taped to his leg to cause an explosion.
Unconfirmed reports said that the suspect was a student of mechanical engineering at University College London (UCL).
According to the BBC, officers wearing forensic suits had entered a basement flat near one of the university's buildings in central London.
The flat was the last known address of the suspect in Britain.
Media reports said that Abdulmutallab, who boarded the plane in Amsterdam, had flown to the Dutch city's Schiphol airport from Lagos.
Probes
The European Commission also launched an investigation into airport security measures following the botched plot.
"I am horrified by the attempted terrorist attack on a flight between Amsterdam and Detroit on Christmas Day," Jacques Barrot, vice-president of the European Commission in charge of Justice, Freedom and Security, said in a statement.
"The European Commission is in contact with the relevant authorities to make sure that all rules and procedures were followed in Europe. We are in touch with our Dutch and US counterparts.
"This incident shows once again that vigilance is necessary at all times in the fight against terror."
Airports and airlines across Europe moved rapidly to tighten security on US-bound flights after the incident.
Authorities in Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands either increased passenger checks or reinforced security measures.
"Passengers traveling to the United States should expect their airline to carry out additional security checks prior to boarding," British airports group BAA, which manages two of the 10 busiest airports in Europe, said.
In Rome, home to Europe's sixth busiest airport, civil aviation authority ENAC confirmed it had ordered security for all flights bound for the United States to be beefed up.
In Madrid, passengers were being held in a "sterile zone", similar to measures taken after the 9/11 attacks, and were being told to check in as much luggage as possible to reduce carry-on baggage.
In Nigeria, the home country of the suspect, an investigation was launched into the incident.
"The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has directed Nigerian security agencies to commence full investigation of the incident," the Nigerian government said in a statement.
Information Minister Dora Akunyili said the government will be "providing updates as more information becomes available."
"While steps are being taken to verify the identity of the alleged suspect and his motives, our security agencies will cooperate fully with the American authorities in the on-going investigations."
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"We are in liaison with the US authorities and searches in London are being conducted as part of ongoing enquiries," a Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Anti-terror police raided a number of buildings in London as part of investigation into a bid by a Nigerian man to blow up the Northwest Airline Flight coming from Amsterdam to Detroit on Friday.
"The searches are being carried out at more than one address," the spokeswoman said, declining to give further details.
Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, tried to set off a sophisticated explosive device on the plane on Christmas Eve before he was overpowered by passengers.
The Nigerian man told US authorities that he had used a syringe filled with chemicals to mix with powder taped to his leg to cause an explosion.
Unconfirmed reports said that the suspect was a student of mechanical engineering at University College London (UCL).
According to the BBC, officers wearing forensic suits had entered a basement flat near one of the university's buildings in central London.
The flat was the last known address of the suspect in Britain.
Media reports said that Abdulmutallab, who boarded the plane in Amsterdam, had flown to the Dutch city's Schiphol airport from Lagos.
Probes
The European Commission also launched an investigation into airport security measures following the botched plot.
"I am horrified by the attempted terrorist attack on a flight between Amsterdam and Detroit on Christmas Day," Jacques Barrot, vice-president of the European Commission in charge of Justice, Freedom and Security, said in a statement.
"The European Commission is in contact with the relevant authorities to make sure that all rules and procedures were followed in Europe. We are in touch with our Dutch and US counterparts.
"This incident shows once again that vigilance is necessary at all times in the fight against terror."
Airports and airlines across Europe moved rapidly to tighten security on US-bound flights after the incident.
Authorities in Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands either increased passenger checks or reinforced security measures.
"Passengers traveling to the United States should expect their airline to carry out additional security checks prior to boarding," British airports group BAA, which manages two of the 10 busiest airports in Europe, said.
In Rome, home to Europe's sixth busiest airport, civil aviation authority ENAC confirmed it had ordered security for all flights bound for the United States to be beefed up.
In Madrid, passengers were being held in a "sterile zone", similar to measures taken after the 9/11 attacks, and were being told to check in as much luggage as possible to reduce carry-on baggage.
In Nigeria, the home country of the suspect, an investigation was launched into the incident.
"The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has directed Nigerian security agencies to commence full investigation of the incident," the Nigerian government said in a statement.
Information Minister Dora Akunyili said the government will be "providing updates as more information becomes available."
"While steps are being taken to verify the identity of the alleged suspect and his motives, our security agencies will cooperate fully with the American authorities in the on-going investigations."
IslamOnline
