In the wake of an apparent horrific terrorist attack on the United States, New York has come to a stand still and a pall hangs over America.
“Today we’ve had a national tragedy,” said US President George W Bush. “Two airplanes have crashed into the World Trade Center in an apparent terrorist attack on our country.”
“I have ordered that the full resources of the Federal Government go to help the victims and their families,” Bush said before offering a prayer for victims. “Terrorism against our nation will not stand.”
The devastating assault, which has caused worldwide shock, saw commercial planes carrying hundreds of passengers used as missiles against US targets including the World Trade Center. New York City has come to a standstill; for the first time in history a “national halt” has been called – meaning that no airplanes are taking off within the US; New York hospitals have been flooded with casualties and medical centres are calling for blood donations. Burn and laceration reports are extensive.
The mayhem which began early this morning, Eastern Standard Time. Two hijacked passenger planes carrying hundreds of people crashed into the upper floors of the World Trade Center in downtown Manhattan, New York, in the heart of the financial district. The first crash occured shortly before 9am; the second roughly 30 minutes later. The world famous Twin Towers subsequently collapsed, trapping what could have been thousands.
An estimated 50,000 people would have been in the buildings during the height of morning rush hour, and 150,000 individuals visit the centre daily. It is believed that the two crashes were the result of terrorist attacks.
“I have a sense it’s a horrendous number of lives lost,” says New York City mayor Rudy Guliani.
Eight jets in all have been reported hijacked since early Tuesday morning, of which four have already crashed. A third plane struck nearby the Pentagon in Washington DC, casuing both the Pentagon and the White House to be evacuated.
A fourth crashed near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. That plane, a 747 jumbo jet, was holding an estimated 153 people. Details on the remaining three are not yet available but United Airlines is said to be deeply concerned as one of their passenger jets travelling from Boston to Los Angeles is unaccounted for.
A bomb has been reported at New York City's Stuyvesant High School, Manhattan's most prestigious public high school. The school is located near the site of the World Trade Center, and some believe the school bomb is meant to keep rescue workers from reaching the fallen Twin Towers.
In Washington DC, 10,000 emergency personnel have been dispersed and US fighter planes are circling the area.
The Twin Towers were struck in 1993 when a bomb in an underground parking lot exploded. Six people were killed.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
