In 1973, they were the tallest buildings in the world. They were seen as symbol of America and attracted about 70,000 tourists every day.
The first airplane hit the North Tower by 13:46 WAT; while the second crashed into the South Tower of the WTC at 16:03.
By 15:37 the third plane crashed into the Pentagon, headquarters of the US military, outside the capital, Washington DC.
The fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania by 16:03, short of the terrorists’ intended target of Capitol Building in Washington DC. The passengers had learnt of the other three attacks and fought to seize the airplane from the terrorists.
The 9/11 incidents stand as the worst terrorist attack in the world.
A total of 2,977 people from 77 countries, minus the 19 hijackers, died.
All 246 passengers and crew aboard the four airplanes; 2,606 people in the Twin Towers – then or from injuries later; and 125 people in the Pentagon were killed.
Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda operated training camps in Afghanistan then and was supported by the Taliban ruling the country.
This explains the global concern that the Taliban’s re-capture of Afghanistan, after US withdrawal, may promote global terrorism.
Osama bin Laden was killed by US navy seals in an attack on his hideout in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on 2 May, 2011.
