Thinking back to this day ten years ago, I can't believe how fast the time has gone. It feels like only yesterday, that I remember hearing about what had happened. I'm sure we all remember exactly where we were and what we were doing when we found out. I definitely do. I recall this day as being one of the most memorable days of my life, even though I wasn't in New York, and don't personally know anyone who was.
I have always been fond the US, I love everything American, and at this point in my life, could only dream of visiting New York. When I heard the news, that there had been suspected terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers, I was at home from school, due to illness. Eating my breakfast, I turned on the news, and from that moment on, couldn't take my eyes off the television. My mum was in work, but I needed to tell her what I'd just heard. I phoned her, and when she picked up the phone, I burst into tears.
Considering I have no family links in New York, and I didn't know of anyone I knew being there at the time, the sheer sadness I felt for what was happening really got to me. I couldn't help but think, imagine what it must feel like to know your relative was there, in New York at the time, and not knowing if they're ok.
As the day went on, and the news deepened, more and more people were reported missing and the news channel were playing devastating phone calls from people who couldn't get hold of their family, reaching out to anyone who might have information.
When I heard the news, it was hard to digest straight away, and I would even say that now, it is still digesting. I find it hard to believe that certain people were able to carry out this devastating event. They knew that day that they were going to draw an end to so many innocent lives, but still went ahead and did what they did.
There were a total of 2,996 deaths on this day, which were all caused by 19 hijackers who took control of four commercial airliners. It is hard to think of just how terrified the people in the towers must have felt, knowing that their lives could end in a matter of minutes. Some desperately tried to contact their loved ones, to tell them that they may never see them again. As I am writing this, I am so upset for those people, but it is easy to forget those who were on the planes with the hijackers, who had to face the terror of knowing that people with the intention to kill, had taken control of the plane they were flying on. The bravery of the civilians who crashed flight United 93 before it reached its target, which was suspected to have been the White House, should be remembered, as these people, through extreme fear, managed to save countless innocent lives, while ending their own.
At least 200 people fell or jumped to their deaths from the burning towers. Some made their way to the roof, hoping to be rescued by a helicopter, but the roof access doors were locked, and helicopters were prevented from aproaching the buildings, due to the smoke from the fire in the buildings.
A total of 411 emergency workers who responded to the scene died as they tried to rescue people and fight fires. More than 70 countries lost citizens in the attacks on the World Trade Center. Two people were later added to the official death toll after dying from health conditions linked to exposure to dust from the colapse of the towers.
Over 3000 children lost a parent in the events of 9/11.
On every anniversary of the collapse of the World Trade Centre, in New York City, the names of the victims who died there are read out against a background of somber music.
Show how much you care, by just take a few minutes today, to remember the lives that were lost in the 9/11 attacks. These people didn't deserve to die, and their families didn't deserve to lose them.
Every year, I will spare a thought for the events of 9/11. Rest in Peace. Forever missed, never forgotten.
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