This article ran in the September 13, 2001 issue of the Southern News:
TYSON KACZMAREK — Southern News, September 13, 2001
It looked like a scene out of the movies.
But this nightmare was true.
At approximately 8:45 a.m. EST, the first of two hijacked commercial planes crashed into the side of one of the 110- story World Trade Center Twin Towers in New York City, eventually imploding the building and reducing it to rubble. Approximately 15 minutes later, another hijacked commercial plane crashed into the other Twin Tower, also eventually causing it to implode.
Another hijacked commercial plane took off from Dulles International Airport and eventually crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., where death tolls are estimated to be anywhere from 100-800.
“It’s an unbelievable attack on the United States,” said political science professor John Iatrides, “We all talk about how vulnerable the U.S. is to terrorism. Nobody I think could envision this massive attack and how successful it’s been.”
Early reports indicated Tuesday that the Sears Tower in Chicago and the Space Needle in Seattle were evacu¬ated as well as the city of Boston and most major tourist attractions and U.S. landmarks. The two hijacked flights that crashed into the Twin Towers were en route from Boston’s Logan Airport to Los Angeles International Airport.
Reports have also said a hijacked plane en route from Newark, N.J. to San Francisco had crashed outside of Pittsburgh, killing all on board.
As a result of the attacks, all inter¬national flights were being sent into Canada. No fly zones have been imposed on New York City and Washington D.C. All air traffic for Tuesday was shut down until at least noon Wednesday.
Iatrides said the U.S. is likely to take some type of retaliation process.
“If there is an identifiable culprit or group, there would be a retaliation. But I think it will be a while before we found out who is behind this,” he said.
Reports said that citizens of Afghanistan were dancing in the streets and handing out candy upon hearing the news.
Iatrides also said the U.S. was not prepared for this type of alleged terrorism.
“It looks as though there are no adequate preparations for this kind of attack,” he said. “There are many things that can be done to attack the United States. It [the attack] was very effective.”
The death toll is estimated to be in the thousands, said reports Wednesday. No official numbers will be tallied until all the debris is removed. As early as Wednesday morning, reports have said that approximately 70 police officers and 200 firefighters are missing.
This was the second time the World Trade Center had been attacked in the last 10 years. It was bombed on Feb. 26, 1993, killing six and injuring thousands. Reports Wednesday morning also said that some people have been pulled to safety from inside the carnage left by the World Trade towers. However the Pentagon was not as lucky as fire has reportedly spread to its inner rings.
Reports also said the U.S. may be currently targeting Osama bin Laden as its main suspect. bin Laden is possibly the wealthiest and deadliest terrorist in the world and is though to be behind the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Venter as well as the attack on the U.S.S. Cole last year.
Andres Roman, a resident advisor in Schwartz hall is in the National Guard, but as of Tuesday has yet to be called to active duty.
“I called my unit and we weren’t called to active duty,” said Roman, 23. “I get to sit down here and watch the news.”
Two other resident advisors, Joe DeLuca of Schwartz hall and Matt DiFalco of North Campus have been called for duty, said Roman. However, DeLuca has returned to school and DiFalco is only standby.
“Activating the National Guard and closing the airports is the best thing they [the U.S.] can do,” said Roman. “I stand behind them [the government] all the way. They are doing the best they can to see who is responsible for this.”
Roman was just as stunned by Tuesday’s proceedings as anyone.
“I’m shocked,” he said, “and hurt for the people who lost family members. But I am angry that this happened.”
