9/11 timeline: Remembering how the attack unfolded 25 years on

| Audience Editor (News and Gaming) Published September 11, 2026 10:00am As the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, Metro takes a look at how the attack unfolded.(Photo by Lonnie Schlein/Getty Images) Today marks 25 years since the 9/11 attacks in New York and Washington DC shocked the world. The ramifications of the attack, which brought down the Twin Towers in New York City, claimed the lives of almost 3,000 people – including dozens of children – with more victims being identified to this day. Millions watched in horror on September 11, 2001, as four airliners were hijacked by terrorists and flown towards major sites in the US. American Airlines Flight 11 hit the North Tower and Flight 175 hit the South Tower, causing both to collapse. American Airlines Flight 77 also crashed into the Pentagon in Washington DC, killing all 59 passengers onboard along with 125 people on the ground. On the 25th anniversary of the attacks on the Twin Towers, Metro takes a look at how the events unfolded. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Timeline of 9/11 terror attacks on Twin Towers February 26, 1993World Trade Center bombing The famous New York towers are targeted for the first time by terrorists. Six die after a truck bomb exploded below the North Tower, but many more lives are saved after the towers failed to collapse. December 11, 1994Bombing of Philippine Airlines Flight Pakistani terrorist Ramzi Yousef detonates a bomb on board a plane bound for Tokyo, killing one. A bigger plot to bomb 11 airliners and crash a plane into the CIA headquarters is foiled, but it sows the seeds for a larger attack. March 22, 2000Ringleader organises pilot training Egyptian terrorist Mohamed Atta, later identified as the ringleader of the attacks, emails flight schools enquiring about ‘intensive training programmes’. He later receives a pilot’s licence. August 29, 2001Date for attack set Atta calls planner Ramzi Binalshibh and says he has a riddle that he is trying to solve: ‘Two sticks, a dash and a cake with a stick down—what is it?’ Binalshibh realises the two sticks stood for the number 11, and the cake with a stick down is a nine, meaning the attack is set for 9/11. September 11, 2001 5.45amattack begins The first hijackers pass through security in Portland, Maine, and board a flight to Boston before getting on American Airlines Flight 11 – the plane that would hit the North Tower. September 11, 8.15amSecond flight takes off Flight 175, which would later hit the South Tower, takes off from Boston for Los Angeles. Meanwhile, American Airlines Flight 77, to Los Angeles, takes off from Washington, D.C. This flight later hits the Pentagon. September 11, 8.19amfirst fatality Ground personnel receive the first signal that something is wrong when Flight 11 crew members issue a hijacking alert. A passenger, Daniel Lewin, is stabbed by a hijacker seated behind him. He may have been trying to stop the attack from taking place. September 11, 8.42amUnited 93 flight takes off United Flight 93 from Newark, bound for San Francisco, had seven crew members, 33 passengers, and four hijackers on board. It is claimed the terrorists intended to fly it into the US Capitol building. September 11, 8.46amPlane hits the North Tower Flight 11 crashes into floors 93 through 99 of the North Tower. President George Bush is alerted four minutes later, and his advisors initially assume the collision was a tragic accident. September 11, 9.03amPlane hits the South Tower As officials scramble to evacuate the World Trade Center complex, Flight 175 crashes into floors 77 through 85 of the South Tower. September 11, 9.37amPentagon hit by plane American Airlines Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon in Washington DC. All 59 passengers on the plane are killed, along with 125 on the ground. September 11, 9.59amTHE south tower collapses As the world watches on, the South Tower of the World Trade Center collapses in 10 seconds after burning for 56 minutes. More than 800 people in and around the building are killed. september 11, 10.03amUnited Flight 93 crashes Crew and passengers storm the cockpit and bring the plane down near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, preventing further loss of life. September 11, 10.28amTHE north tower collapses People are seen jumping from the upper levels of the building before the second tower collapses after burning for 102 minutes. More than 1,600 people in and around the building are killed. September 11, 8.30pmGeorge Bush addresses nation President Bush, who had travelled back to the White House from Florida, assured Americans that a search is underway for ‘those who are behind these evil acts.’ September 12, 2001Last survivor found Some 20 people who were in the towers when they collapsed are saved. Rescue workers pull Genelle Guzman-McMillan from the rubble 27 hours after the north tower fell. She becomes the last person found alive. September 20, 2001War on terror declared Bush announces that the attacks had been organised by Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda and declares a ‘war on terror’ while speaking to the United States Congress. October 7, 2001invasion of afghanistan The US and its allies, including the UK, launch Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The objective is to remove the Taliban from power. March 20, 2003Iraq war begins Despite widespread opposition at home and abroad, Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair begin the invasion of Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein from power. May 2, 2011bin Laden killed Almost a decade after the attacks, Bin Laden is captured and killed by US forces in Pakistan. september 11, 20119/11 memorial opens To mark a decade since the devastating attacks, a memorial is opened in New York on the site of the World Trade Center. It includes two large fountains on the sites where the towers stood. september 9, 2023Two more victims identified Around the 22nd anniversary, two new victims were officially identified thanks to new DNA sequencing technology. AUGUST 8, 2025TWO MORE VICTIMS NAMED Three more victims of the terror attack are identified in August 2025. Ryan Fitzgerald and Barbara Keating were both named, along with a third woman whose name was not released. AUGUST 26, 2026ANOTHER VICTIM IDENTIFIED Days before the 25th anniversary of the attack, another victim of the attack – a woman – is identified using genetic genealogy. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. For more stories like this, check our news page. 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