Collapse of the World Trade Center

collapse of the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2011

The collapse of the World Trade Center occurred during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, after each of the Twin Towers was hit by a commercial airliner. One World Trade Center (WTC 1, or the North Tower) was hit at 8:46 a.m. EST. It collapsed at 10:28 a.m. Two World Trade Center (WTC 2, or the South Tower) was hit at 9:03 a.m. It collapsed at 9:59 a.m.

The debris from the collapsed buildings severely damaged or completely destroyed more than a dozen other nearby structures. That led to the collapse of 7 World Trade Center at 5:21 p.m. In the crashes, fires, and subsequent collapses, 2,763 people were killed. They included 2,192 civilians, 343 firefighters, and 71 law enforcement officers. They also included all of the passengers and crew on the airplanes, which included 147 civilians and the 10 hijackers.