World Trade Center Bombing
February 26, 1993, terrorists drove a rented truck laden with 1,200 pounds of explosives into the World Trade Center’s underground garage. At 12:18 p.m., they ignited a fuse and fled. The explosion killed six and injured one thousand. Damage to the complex include a five-story bomb crater and the undermining of the floor of the adjourning Vista International Hotel located in 3 World Trade Center.
Port Authority Police and first responders from other agencies evacuated 50,000 people and performed harrowing rescues. Difficult rescues occurred in 45 of the center’s 210 elevator cars, including the rescue of 72 children and teachers trapped in elevators for hours.
The deaths, injuries and destruction caused the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to refer to the bomb as the “largest by weight and by damage of any improvised explosive device that we’ve seen since the inception of forensic explosive identification.”
The investigation resulted in the arrests of most of those responsible including Ramzi Ahmed Yousef who planned the attack hoping to topple both towers. Investigators also uncovered other plots to blow up the George Washington Bridge, the United Nations Building and other New York City landmarks. Unknown to many was the complete destruction of the Port Authority Police Department World Trade Center Police Station and the injuries suffered by PAPD officers during the February 26, 1993 attack.
As early as 1985 the Port Authority Police Department began assessing the possibility of terrorism threats to the World Trade Center. Recommendations regarding the underground garage included banning public parking or the random inspection of vehicles. The Port Authority ignored these recommendations and most others put forth by its police department. On March 29, 1993, the World Trade Center reopened.
Never forget the February 26, 1993 World Trade Center Bombing Victims.
ROBERT KILPATRICK
STEPHEN KNAPP
BILL MACKO
MONICA SMITH and HER UNBORN BABY
JOHN DIGIOVANNI
WILFREDO MERCADO