A man who ignited firecrackers on a Delta Airlines flight bound to Detroit, Michigan, on Friday might have terrorism connections, U.S. media reported.
Both Fox News and ABC News reported that the suspect, believed to be a Nigerian, ignited firecrackers prior to the plane's landing in Detroit, Michigan.
Several people were hurt and one person was admitted to the University of Michigan Medical Center at Ann Arbor, hospital spokeswoman Tracy Justice said.
The suspect, who suffered second-degree burns, were immediately subdued and was put into custody.
He later told federal investigators he was directed by al-Qaida, according to ABC News and Fox News.
A federal situational awareness bulletin noted that the explosive was acquired in Yemen with instructions as to when it should be used.
It was reported that the man was trying to blow up the plane but the device failed.
However, the FBI Detroit office spokeswoman Sandra Berchtold declined to comment on the reports of a terrorist connection.
All 278 passengers on the Airbus A330 wide-body jet, which landed at 11:53 a.m. local time (1653 GMT), have since deplaned at Detroit
Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Delta Airlines spokesperson Susan Elliott said.
"Out of an abundance of caution, the plane was moved to a remote area where the plane and all baggage are currently being rescreened. A passenger is in custody and passengers are being interviewed," the Transportation Security Administration said in a statement.
It was not immediately clear if the suspect was subdued by crew or passengers.
The flight was originated in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and was operated as Northwest flight 253. Northwest is a subsidiary of Delta Airlines.
U.S. President Barack Obama, who is spending the Christmas and New Year holidays in his home state of Hawaii, was briefed on the incident during a secure phone call with aides and "instructed that all appropriate measures
be taken to increase security for air travel," White House spokesman Bill Burton said.
But the president made no changes to his schedule.
The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement saying that air passengers "may notice additional screening measures put into place to
ensure the safety of the traveling public on domestic and international flights."