Eighteen years ago today, the world watched in horror as al-Qaeda launched four coordinated terror attacks on the United States, killing 2,996 people and injuring 6,000 more. The death toll has continued to rise due to 9/11-related illnesses.
Among the many heartbreaking stories from that day are the final calls and messages left by those trapped in the Twin Towers and hijacked planes. Melissa Harrington Hughes was in New York for just one day when she became caught up in the tragedy. She called her husband Sean in San Francisco, but he was still asleep and missed the call. Her voicemail said: "I just want to let you know I love you and I'm stuck in this building in New York. There's lot of smoke and I just wanted you to know that I love you always."
Beverly Eckert received a call from her husband Sean Rooney just after 9:30am, but it was not to say he was safe. He told her he was on the 105th floor of the North Tower. She later said: "He told me he was on the 105th floor and I knew right away that Sean was never coming home."
The attacks involved 19 hijackers on four US passenger planes, two of which struck the Twin Towers, causing them to collapse within 105 minutes. A third hit the Pentagon, and the fourth crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back.
