This Is Why Umar Abdulmutallab's Explosive Device Didn't Work in 2009

Insight has been given into the failure of the bombing attempt made in 2009 by Nigerian, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab.

US officials have said that the plot to detonate an explosive on board a plane heading to Detroit on Christmas Day was foiled by the fact that Abdulmutallab's underwear was dirty.

It was revealed that the intending bomber had been wearing the same pair of underwear for 2 weeks and so had soiled the explosives, making them ineffective.

Abdulmutallab, who earned himself the nickname "Underwear Bomber", set off the device but only succeeded in causing his underpants to catch fire leading to minor burns on his body but sparing others on board the plane.

John Pistole, the head of the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), said:

“He had it with him for over two weeks, Let’s say it was degraded."

27-year-old Abdulmutallab, the son of a former First Bank chairman, was working in connection with terrorist group, Al-Qaeda and has been sentenced to life in prison.