Ground Zero/WTC Plaza between Collapses: The Reality of the Scene

Understanding the 9/11 Ground Zero and the WTC plaza in the moments between the collapses is crucial for grasping the immense destruction and chaos that ensued. This detailed account, based on visual evidence and firsthand accounts, offers a glimpse into what the plaza and surrounding areas looked like during those critical minutes.

Visibility and Debris

Within the twenty-nine minutes following the South Tower's collapse, any photos taken of the WTC plaza were obscured by dust and debris. The following images and descriptions provide a clear picture of the scene.

Plaza Debris and Dust: Photos taken after the South Tower's collapse showed a heavily obscured plaza. In one photograph that wasn't taken in the main part of the plaza, one can observe a significant amount of debris. The intensity of the dust and debris leads to the conclusion that the main plaza bearings a close resemblance to this scene.

Another frame from a video shot from the Millennium Hotel illustrates the same obfuscation with too much dust to discern the plaza. The visibility was so low that the only clearly visible elements were the smoke and the distant buildings.

Smoke and Collapses

Following the collapse of the South Tower, both towers were enveloped in a thick, dark gray smoke. The towers themselves were partially visible within this cloud, appearing almost black in contrast to the light behind them. As the North Tower was hit and began to collapse, the smoke took on a different form. The black outline of the towers grew and morphed as the building disintegrated.

Witness Accounts from 110 Wall Street

Witnesses at 110 Wall Street: Approximately 100 employees were present on the top floor of 110 Wall Street, just a couple of blocks away from Ground Zero. The employees were instructed to hunker down as the dark smoke cloud approached. This cloud, which resembled a giant rolling wave of smoke from the collapsing buildings, started rolling down Wall Street towards the water. The sight was described as one of the worst things any of the witnesses had ever seen.

The effects on the 110 Wall Street building were immediate. As the dark cloud hit the building, the windows turned black from the inside, and those in the office experienced complete blindness. Once the smoke cleared slightly, the employees left the building and walked across the Brooklyn Bridge to return home.

Visibility Beyond the Chaos

For those located further away, such as the building in Hoboken, New Jersey, about 7 miles west of the towers, the scene was equally surreal. The clear view provided a stark contrast to the chaos at Ground Zero. Witnesses could see the second plane fly into the North Tower and the collapse of the towers in real-time. The footage and descriptions paint a vivid picture of the horror and uncertainty of that day.

Additional Resources

For more information on the 9/11 Ground Zero and WTC plaza during these critical moments, refer to the available resources.

Keywords: 9/11 Ground Zero, WTC Plaza, World Trade Center Collapse