Tighter Airport Security Expected After Attempted Terrorism

Tighter security is in effect at the Minneapolis- St. Paul International Airport after what federal authorities call "an attempted act of terrorism" aboard a Delta flight from Amsterdam to Detroit Friday. "We heard a loud pop, and a bit of smoke, some flames and yelling and screaming," said Illiaa Schelke, a passenger aboard Flight 253. Authorities say a passenger from Nigeria tried to detonate a mixture of powder and liquid. Passengers saw a glow, then smoke, and smelled something burning. "There was one guy, who sat on the other side, the right side of the wing because this was on the left side of the wing, and he jumped over the other people and he took care of it," said passenger Peter Smith.The man was tackled to the ground. The plane was met by emergency vehicles as it landed. Passengers saw the suspect being removed. "His hands were wrapped in bandages and he was handcuffed to the railing of the bed," said one passenger. The Transportation Security Administration released a statement Christmas evening warning travelers to brace themselves for tighter security. They told reporters passengers may notice additional screening measures put into place to ensure the safety of the traveling public on domestic and international flights. That could mean longer lines and waits for holiday travelers heading back home this weekend. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Airports Commission told reporters Friday it will step up a police presence beginning immediately with officers being move visible. In addition, they will deploy bomb-detection dogs to roam the terminals.