Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who tried to blow up a transatlantic flight by detonating explosives in his underpants failed because explosives had become “degraded” after he wore the same underwear for two weeks, it has been claimed.
Known as the “underwear bomber”, Abdulmutallab was caught trying to blow up a plane on Christmas Day in 2009 en route to the US from Amsterdam.
The plane made an emergency landing in Detroit after the bomb failed to go off, instead causing a fire which left Abdulmutallab with burns to his groin.
US officials traced the bomb plot to al Qaeda and at his trial the 25-year-old Nigerian called the bomb a “blessed weapon” to avenge the mistreatment of Muslims.
John Pistole, head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, told the Aspen Security Forum this week that the explosive device failed because of the length of time Abdulmutallab wore his underpants.
Pistole said “The bomber had had the device with him for over two weeks.”
Asked if this meant the bomb had become damp, he replied: “Let’s say it was degraded.”
After the botched explosion passengers and crew members were able to restrain Abdulmutallab and put out the fire on the Northwest flight.
