We here in the city have no illusions about the carnage left in the wake of the Trade Center collapses. Informal estimates are that thousands may be dead or trapped under the rubble of what used to be the Trade Center. Mass transit has been suspended and all bridges and tunnels into and out of the island have been sealed. The mood on the streets here in midtown is one of controlled panic, anger and great sadness. Many people, total strangers, are forming into groups on the street and exchanging information and rumors. Phone service, both wire and cellular is poor at best; getting an outside line is something of a miracle at the moment. One thing seems certain however: when the smoke clears, the events of today will displace the Oklahoma City bombing as the worst terrorist attack in the history of this country, and quite possibly surpass the loss of life at Pearl Harbor. We are under attack here but not sure by whom.
All schools, city and state buildings on Manhattan are now closed, as are the schools. The Red Cross has just put out an urgent request for blood and requested that those of us who are able should make their way to the nearest hospital to do so. Roosevelt Hospital is just 2 blocks from our office and that is where I will be headed after I leave here. If you are able to give blood today, please do. New York City will survive this nightmare, but we will never be quite the same again. Please take a moment to remember those who have lost their lives today, and for a great city now in crisis, Over and out for now from midtown Manhattan.
Peter Robbins
Editor, UFOcity.com
New York City
Early afternoon, September 11, 2001