NEW YORK (CNN) -- Terrorists struck the United States Tuesday morning in
harrowing, widespread attacks that included at least three commercial jet
crashes into significant buildings.
In the first attack, a plane hit the north tower of the World Trade
Center in Manhattan shortly before 9 a.m., followed by another plane into
the second tower about 20 minutes later. Both towers later collapsed.
About an hour later, a plane crashed into the Pentagon, part of which
later collapsed.
American Airlines told CNN that it lost two planes in "tragic accidents:"
Flight 11 from Boston with 81 passengers and 11 crew aboard and Flight 77
from Washington Dulles airport with 58 passengers and six crew aboard.
Both planes were en route to Los Angeles
United Airlines Flight 93 airliner headed from Newark, New Jersey, to San
Francisco, crashed near Somerset, Pennsylvania -- police said initial
reports indicated no survivors. United also confirmed the crash of Flight
175 from Boston to Los Angeles.
The Pentagon, the White House, the State Department, the Justice
Department, the Capitol, the CIA and all other government buildings in
Washington evacuated.
President Bush cancelled an appearance in Florida to return to
Washington, calling the crashes "apparent terrorist attacks" and "a
national tragedy."
In the first ever national ground stop of aircraft, all flights
nationwide have been stopped at their departure airports.
All international flights were diverted to Canada.
In New York, more than 10,000 rescue personnel rushed to the scene. The
entire downtown area of Manhattan was evacuated as far north as
Rockefeller Center, according to an official at an emergency command post.
Israel has evacuated all its missions around the world.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta was evacuated.
CDC was preparing bioterrorism teams in case they become necessary.
Philadelphia landmarks were also evacuated.
In Chicago, the Sears Tower was evacuated; United Nations in New York
evacuated.
The New York Port Authority said it had closed all bridges and tunnels
into the city.
U.S. stock markets were closed after the New York attacks.