No explosives found in suspected 'shoe bomb' incident on board US flight

Washington, Apr 8(ANI): No explosives were found on board an American plane, that was flying from Washington National Airport to Denver International, in which a Qatari diplomat allegedly tried to "light his shoes on fire" on Wednesday night.

In a major security scare, Mohammed Al-Modadi caused mid-air panic after he reportedly smoked a cigarette and joked he was trying to light his shoes during a United Airlines flight.

US air marshals arrested him after the plane landed at Denver for allegedly attempting to light a "shoe bomb".

According to reports, Al-Modadi said he was putting out the cigarette he had smoked in the restroom with the sole of his shoe.

The 27-year-old has full diplomatic immunity as he is Third Secretary and Vice-Consul at the Qatar Embassy in Washington.

Meanwhile, Transportation Security Administration spokesman Greg Soule said they were investigating the incident.

"All steps are being taken to ensure the safety of the travelling public," The New York Post quoted Soule, as saying.

United Airlines confirmed their crew asking law enforcement officers to meet, Flight 663, following "an incident involving a passenger".

There were 157 passengers and six crew members on the flight.

Two F-16 jet fighters from Buckley Air Force Base were sent to accompany the flight during the last 40 miles to Denver International Airport, where it was directed to a remote location.

The incident comes three months after the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day last year, when a Nigerian man tried to blow up a Detroit-bound airliner. (ANI)