Four civilian planes were hijacked by al-Qaeda terrorists and used in suicide bombings that hit the United States. Two of the planes crashed a few minutes apart at the World Trade Center in New York.
Countless photos from news photographers, security cameras, witnesses, aid workers and others, have documented the terrorist attack in which almost 3,000 people were killed.
– CAPTURE: A hijacked scheduled flight just before it crashes into the second tower of the Twin Towers in New York. Photo: Seth McAllister / AFP
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– EXPLOSION: The second plane explodes when it hits the skyscraper, a few minutes after the first plane hit the north tower. Photo: Seth McAllister / AFP
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– INTENSIVE FIRE: The fire had already developed at the top of the north tower, when the other plane exploded into the south tower of the Twin Towers. Photo: Chao Soi Cheong / AP Photo
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– DEATH TRAP: Many people are trapped in a death trap when the explosive fires develop in the two towers. Photo: Stan Honda / AFP
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The images document the enormous scale of the terrorist attack, the chaos and the emotions that unfolded on this dramatic day in the United States.
The drama could be seen over large areas of the city of millions. Some people managed to escape through emergency exits in the towers, while others were asked to stay calm on the upper floors of the buildings. Firefighters arrived to help, and were also hit when the two buildings eventually collapsed.
Fear spread among the inhabitants, and people were either apathetic spectators or trying to flee the city.
– SPECTATORS: In the streets below, shocked people witnessed the fires that developed. Photo: Amy Sancetta / AP Photo
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– COLLAPSE: Eventually the damage becomes so great that both towers collapse. Photo: Jeff Christensen / Reuters
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– HELPLESS: While many thousands are trapped in the two towers, the two huge skyscrapers give way. Photo: Helene Seligman / AP
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– ESCAPE: Evacuated and curious spectators suddenly realize that they must flee as the huge skyscrapers collapse. Photo: Amy Sancetta / AP Photo
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– HORROR: While the skyscrapers are crushed, people run for their lives with a cloud of smoke on their heels. Photo: Doug Kanter / AFP
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– DUST CLOUD: A man breathes through a handkerchief as he escapes from the huge cloud of smoke that settles over Manhattan. Photo: Stan Honda / AFP
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– ICONIC: This image of Marcy Borders covered in dust after surviving the terrorist attack is one of the most iconic images from the dramatic day. Borders who became known after this picture, died of cancer in 2015, only 42 years old .. Photo: Stan Honda / AFP
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The pictures show the fear among the people, but also people who contribute to helping people in need. In addition to the 19 hijackers, 2,979 people died in the terrorist attack.
The dead were divided into 265 on board the four planes, 2,606 in the towers and on the ground in the World Trade Center and 125 in the Pentagon. Among the dead were 343 firefighters and 71 police officers. Firefighters and police have been hailed for sacrificing their lives in an attempt to help others.
– FEAR: People are beginning to understand the extent of the terrorist attack, and are fleeing a paralyzed city. Photo: Mark Lennihan / AP Photo
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– DESPAIR: Two women hold each other and are helpless witnesses to the drama. Photo: Ernesto Mora / AP Photo
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– HELP: Rescue crews help an injured person away from the ruins. Photo: Shannon Stapleton / Reuters
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– INJURED: People who are slightly physically injured flee the area themselves, while aid workers move in. Photo: Diane Bondareff / AP Photo
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– HELP: A man helps a woman out of ruins and wreckage. Photo: Stan Honda / AFP
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– CRUSHED: A man stands in the ruins, asking if anyone needs help. Photo: Doug Kanter / AFP
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– RUINS: A firefighter asks for help from several people as they enter the ruins of the World Trade Center. Photo: US Navy Photo
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– TEARS: The terrorist attack shocked the whole world, and still affects New York 20 years later. Photo: Tannen Maury / AFP
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