BRUSSELS?The European Commission said Saturday it was probing if proper security measures had been followed in Amsterdam, where a young Nigerian boarded a US-bound plane that he subsequently tried to blow up.

"I am horrified by the attempted terrorist attack on a flight between Amsterdam and Detroit on Christmas Day," a statement by Jacques Barrot, vice-president of the European Commission in charge of Justice, Freedom and Security, said.

"The European Commission is in contact with the relevant authorities to make sure that all rules and procedures were followed in Europe. We are in touch with our Dutch and US counterparts.

"This incident shows once again that vigilance is necessary at all times in the fight against terror."

Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, was badly burned as he tried to set off a sophisticated explosive device on a Northwest Airlines Airbus A330 carrying 278 passengers as it began its descent on Detroit.

He was overcome by fellow passengers and arrested after the plane touched down.