Newly released reports by text messages on the morning of the 11th September 2001 show, try to panic family members, loved ones and officials turn to try desperately to understand what was going on.
More than half a million records of whistleblower site Wikileaks published, show the panic, terror and pain of what happened that morning in the words of those they experienced.
On 11 September 2001, commandeered four commercial jetliners 19 hijackers, loaded with fuel for cross-country flights. Two flown into the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers in New York, one crashed into the Pentagon, and another headed for an unknown destination, crashed in Pennsylvania when it was interrupted by the passengers.
A total of 2976 people – including the hijackers were not – killed in the attacks.
Some people experience the attacks reach out to loved ones from the fear, it could be more attacks have been and could die.
“The only thoughts I have are of Nicholas, and read Ian”, a text message. “I’m shocked. I needed to tell you that I really love you. Always, Diane.”
“I hold you now,” a text message one minute later want to read.
“I know you have a new relationship and do not care about me know. But just in case that happens I love you hon. Missed Ya good bye.”
The first hint of trouble comes aft at 8:50 a. m five minutes after. ER the first plane hit the World Trade Center.
“An Aloha call is started. This is for a fire in 2WT …”
Another text message references “detonation of a bomb into the World Trade Center and asks recipients of the message to report to assess their areas.
A minute later, started from first-hand reports flooding in.
“The World Trade Center just to blow the air, we have the explosion in front of our windows. Teresa seen …”
A. meters at 8:53 a message from the New York Police Department Operations Division officers mobilized against the World Trade Center and told them to meet church and Vessey streets.
taken at 9:03 a. m, the second aircraft, the World Trade Center.
“It is a deliberate attack … A second plane just into the second tower,” said a message 52 seconds later.
From 9:25 a. m, the personal messages become more frequent and frantic.
Companies start sending messages to ask the head count on all employees.
You begin the sharing of reports, what they saw and heard on television, including early reports of people jumping from the World Trade Center.
Family members struggle to panic, to scroll through the jammed phone lines, to find out if their relatives were OK.
9:25:40 a. m
“Please call my work as soon as you get in the office. Do you know, you’re safe.”
9:29:38 a. m
“They ask where you are. Are you okay. Give me a call back asap. I need to know these things. Even when collecting it. Call me. Darryl”
11:32:56 a. m
“If I do not hear from you High Noon, I will pick up Laura at school and tell her that her father is dead.”
“Goodbye my sweety ….. I’m going to miss yo,” said another.
“Honey wanted to tell you how much I love you,” wrote one transmitter. “I was a little worried. I do not want to lose you now that I got you back. You mean everything to me. You have my whole heart and life. I love you so much.”
Some texts brought relief.
“My father survived, I got a call from the stepmother’s staff said my father alive, although all the info I have. I do not know if he is injured or is unharmed.”
“Abro’s father lives,” says one text. “Survived WTC collapse. I’m trying to contact family members to learn more.”
“Urgent. It’s tim. I’m okay. Call me at home … I was outside the building when it exploded, but I’m fine.”
Others have to wait and worry. Many messages simply read: “Are you okay?” “Where are you?” or “Call me!”
“Pete is ok. He can not find his brother, who works in the world financial center near the Trade Center …..” A message read.
The entries also give insight into the federal government scramble to evacuate buildings, bases, and senior officials.
“Jim: providing the MT. Weather now! Tom,” reads one message, on Mount Weather, the underground bunker, which are taken in high-level officials in a national emergency, and a command facility for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
A message appears at 10:24 a. m authorities shall indicate the first family secure.
“Twinkle and Turq AND FOR SURE are accounted for,” says the message. Twinkle and Turquoise were used the code name for the then U.S. President George W. Bush ‘s twin daughters Jenna and Barbara.
A. 10:32 yards a Secret Service embassy said: “ANONYMOUS CALL TO JOC ANGEL REPORTING TARGET” – referring to a call to the Joint Operation Center of referring to a threat against Air Force One, a code name used by Angel .
A message from FEMA at 12:37 p. m notes, “we have no mission statement yet.”
A message from the Secret Service field office in New York sent conflicting messages about where agents should report.
The messages also pass frantic reports of further attacks. Some of the rumors, others turned real.
Rumors were rampant:
“It’s a hijacked plane circling Dulles Airport. Please call me!”
“Unconfirmed reports of plane crash at Camp David right now.”
“Imagine that a further level may have been abused, and went in the direction of the Capitol … Not sure.”
Wikileaks says it has reviewed some of the texts, saying that they all seem to be authentic.
“I fully understand that this is very emotional material, but this does not mean that this is not part of our historical record,” said spokesman Daniel Schmitt.
“And from the perspective of the publishing Wikileaks perspective, that’s what counts. We help to keep a daily record uncensorable part of this in detail, as it ever made available.”
Wikileaks will not say if the source was in government, law enforcement, industry, or a private citizen with the ability to intercept messages.