Jasper Schuringa: Flight 253 Hero Subdued Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab (Video)

Dutch video producer and director Jasper Schuringa has been identified as the passenger who brought down the terrorist who attempted to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight as it descended to land in Detroit from Amsterdam, The Netherlands on Christmas Day. He is hailed as the Flight 253 hero who subdued Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab after he had ignited an explosive device, apparently intending to blow up the plane.

Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab has also been identified as Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab and Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. He is a 23-year-old Nigerian University College London student who has claimed to be associated with al-Qaeda. Abdul Mutallab had flown from Lagos, Nigeria via a KLM flight, then on to Amsterdam before boarding Fight 253 for Detroit with the apparent intention of carrying out a terrorist attack by bringing that flight down and killing all 278 passengers on board. He is said to have traveled to Yemen where he got the explosive device and instructions on how and when to use them. He was not on a ‘no fly’ list even though he is on a U.S. database of people who are suspected of having terrorist connections.

Fortunately, Abdulmutallab failed in his efforts. That is thanks in part to the heroism of Jasper Schuringa. He is the passenger who tackled the suspected terrorist. He told reporters that he heard someone yelling, ‘Fire! Fire!’ and heard a firecracker-like sound. He saw smoke and Abdulmutallab holding something between his legs that was burning. Schuringa pulled the bomb from between Abdulmutallab’s legs and attempted to extinguish the fire with his hands and threw it away. He yelled to other passengers for water, pulled Abdul Mutallab out of his seat and dragged him to the front of the plane.

Schuringa, who has now been dubbed ‘The Flying Dutchman’, has been interviewed by reporters. You can hear him speak about the incident here.

“Suddenly we heard a bang and then there was smoke and fire and I just knew this is a terrorist attack.

“I didn’t hesitate a moment, just wanted to stop it with whatever I can do.”

Schuringa, 32-years-old, stripped off the suspect’s clothes to ensure he didn’t have any other explosive devices on his body. He and crew members handcuffed the alleged terrorist. When Schuringa returned to his seat, other passengers applauded him.

The hero of Flight 253 sustained burns to his hands, but says he’s fine and just happy to be alive.

Abdulmutallab was taken into custody by the FBI. He was treated for second and third-degree burns on his thighs. The remains of the bomb were sent to Quantico, Virginia for analysis and passengers on board the plane were interviewed before they were allowed to leave the airport.

You can see a picture of Jasper Schuringa here. Also, below are videos about the Flight 253 hero who subdued Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab. We also have the exclusive CNN Jasper Schuringa interview video below.