Hyderabad: On 9/11 devastating attack, it was not just the Twin Towers that came under the attack by the al-Qaeda terrorists, thousands of lives were lost and thousands more were injured. It took 3.1 million hours of labor to clean up 1.8 million tons of debris amounting to the cost of $750 million.
On the economic front, the loss crossed astronomical figures: While Osama bin Laden & co spent around $500,000 to execute the attacks; the US spent over $123 billion in the first 2-4 weeks after the World Trade Center towers collapsed in New York City. ETV Bharat brings to its readers some not-so-familiar facts about the deadliest attacks.
1. Deadliest Attack
More than 3,000 people mostly over 90 per cent civilians were killed and over 10,000 people were wounded in the 9/11 terror attack. Eleven unborn babies including their mothers were killed in the attack.
2. More Cops Died
The total number of police and rescue officers died post rescue operations is higher than the number of killed on the day of the terrorist attack. Thousands of police officers, fire officers, rescuers died of respiratory problem, cancer, mental health and gastrointestinal diseases post-rescue operations.
3. Labrador Retrievers
While police officers, fire fighters swung into action after the terrorist attack, there were two Labrador Retrievers – Salty and Roselle – who played a key role in the rescue operations. The two dogs, who were present with their owners in the World Trade Center during the attack, successfully guided their owners along with 30 others trapped inside the North Tower before the building collapsed. Later, the two dogs were awarded with the Dickin Medal by People's Dispensary for Sick Animals.
4. $100mn Artworks Destroyed
Along with lives, paintings by Pablo Picasso, Roy Lichtenstein, David Hockney and many others displayed at the World Trade Center were destroyed. The cost of the loss is estimated at USD 100 million and USD 10 million from private and public collections respectively. Over 21 libraries in the sky creeper also destroyed in the attack.
5. 40% of Victims Not Yet Identified
According to reports, identities of 1,113 victims have not been identified yet.
6. Increase in Hate Crimes
Following the attack, the city witnessed a sharp rise in the rate of hate crimes. Turban wearing Sikh men became the soft targets as they were mistaken of being Muslims.
7. Clean up Drive
It took more than one-and-half-year to clean up the World Trade Center that collapsed in the terrorist attack. It costed over USD 750 million to clean up the spot.
8. Dousing the Flames
The fire officers toiled hard for 99 days to completely douse the fire at the World Trade Center.
9. Many Orphans
More than 3,051 children lost one or both parents in the attack.
10. Fire Fighter Team
Over 343 firefighters of the New York City Fire Department lost their lives.
Also Read: America Attacked: 18 years on, 9/11 still haunts world
