Number of NYC fire department first responders to die of 9/11-related illnesses reaches 343 – matching amount killed on day of attacks
The number of first responders from the New York City Fire Department to have died from illnesses related to 9/11 has reached 343 – matching the number who died on the day of the attacks.
Hilda Vannata, an emergency medical technician, died from pancreatic cancer on 20 September this year, while retired firefighter Robert Fulco died of pulmonary fibrosis on 23 September, Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh has said.
She added that both illnesses were a result of “time they spent working in the rescue and recovery at the World Trade Center site”.
“With these deaths, we have reached a somber, remarkable milestone. We have now suffered the same number of deaths post September 11th as we experienced that day when the north and south towers fell. Our hearts break for the families of these members, and all who loved them,” Ms Kavanagh said in a statement.
“Our responsibility to our FDNY (Fire Department of New York) colleagues extends far beyond what we asked of them on September 11th and in the days and months that followed during rescue and recovery.”
Exposure to the toxic materials in the aftermath of the terror attack has been linked to heightened risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancer, and other diseases.
Ms Kavanagh said: “The toll of these illnesses on our FDNY responders continues to grow and includes not only the 343 who have died since 9/11, but also the 11,000 who suffer from WTC-related diseases, including 3,500 with cancer.”
Hilda Vannata died from cancer more than 20 years after 9/11. Pic: Fire Department of New York
Robert Fulco died from pulmonary fibrosis. Pic: Fire Department of New York
She added that the department’s “commitment to their service and sacrifice must remain as unshakeable for the next two decades as it has been for the last two”.
“So many of our members showed up for us that fateful day, and so many were lost. The legacy we create for them is one of honour, and one of promise. That is why we continue to advocate for the survivors, and we will not stop pushing until all our members have the care they deserve, for the rest of their lives,” Ms Kavanagh wrote.
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More than 71,000 people are reported to be enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Registry, which seeks to track the health of 9/11 first responders and other people caught up in the attacks.
Workers who were in either of the World Trade Center buildings and people who lived in surrounding properties are among those who have also suffered health problems as a result of the atrocity.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed when al Qaeda terrorists hijacked passenger planes and flew them into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon HQ in Washington. Another hijacked plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field.
The attack marked the largest loss of emergency personnel in US history.
Democrat Zohran Mamdani – who described himself as “Trump’s worst nightmare” – is set to become New York’s next mayor, Sky’s US partner network NBC News projects.
The projected win – with 60.2% of votes counted – comes after one of the most colourful races in years and looks set to have a profound effect on US national politics.
Mr Mamdani will be the first Muslim, first South Asian, and youngest person in a century to be elected as New York City mayor.
The first reaction from the Democrat came on social media while votes were still being counted, where Mr Mamdani posted a video of a subway coming to a stop as a tannoy says: “The next and last stop is: City Hall.”
After the current Democratic mayor, Eric Adams, announced he would run as an independent after a corruption scandal, Andrew Cuomo emerged as frontrunner to take the party’s nomination.
He was looking to rebuild his career after resigning as governor of New York State in 2021 amid allegations of sexual harassment.
But in a major upset, relative outsider Mr Mamdani took the nomination instead, and became the favourite for mayor. Cuomo then chose to run as an independent.
Read more:
Who is Zohran Mamdani?
Will Mamdani inspire Democrats’ strategy?
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Who is Zohran Mamdani?
On the eve of the election, Mr Trump said Mr Mamdani – who is known for left-wing policies and campaigning on issues like affordable housing – would bring “disaster” to the city.
He encouraged backers of Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate who trailed in polling, to transfer their votes to Mr Cuomo instead.
Pic: NDZ / STAR MAX / IPx / AP
New York’s mayoral race was one of four elections on Tuesday serving as a bellwether referendum on Mr Trump’s second term as president.
Democrats Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill won their races to become state governor in Virginia and New Jersey, respectively.
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A cargo plane has crashed near an airport in Kentucky.
Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) say officers are attending the scene of the accident near Louisville International Airport.
The force added: “LMPD and multiple other agencies are responding to reports of a plane crash near Fern Valley and Grade Lane.
“Grade Lane will be closed indefinitely between Stooges and Crittenden. Injuries reported.”
UPS said it has been notified of an incident involving one of its aircraft. In a statement on its website, the company said three people were on board.
A fireball erupts near airport property after reports of a plane crash at Louisville International Airport, Kentucky. Pic: Jon Cherry / AP
Pic: Brad Harvey / AP
Pic: Jon Cherry / AP
A shelter-in-place order was also issued within five miles of the Kentucky airport, which is also home to UPS Worldport, the delivery firm’s largest package handling facility in the world.
The airport said that all arriving and departing flights are temporarily suspended, that the airfield is closed, and warned passengers should closely monitor their flights.
The US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) said the crash happened around 5.15pm local time (10.15pm UK time) as the plane left the airport, bound for Honolulu in Hawaii.
It added that the aircraft was a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 plane, primarily used by cargo airlines.
Kentucky governor Andy Beshear added on social media: “First responders are onsite, and we will share more information as available.
“Please pray for the pilots, crew and everyone affected. We will share more soon.”
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Former US vice president Dick Cheney has died from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, his family has said.
In a statement, his family said the 84-year-old was surrounded by his wife Lynne, daughters Liz and Mary, and other family members.
The Republican was one of the most polarising vice presidents in US history under George W Bush from 2001 to 2009, and was a leading advocate of the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Dick Cheney with George W Bush. Pic: Reuters
In later life, he became a target of Donald Trump, especially after his daughter, Liz Cheney, became the leading Republican critic and examiner of Mr Trump’s actions surrounding the January 6 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol.
“In our nation’s 246-year history, there has never been an individual who was a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump,” Mr Cheney said in a TV advert for his daughter.
“He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him. He is a coward.”
Dick Cheney looks on as his daughter Liz Cheney takes the oath of office in 2017. Pic: AP
Last year he said he was voting for Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, to be president against Mr Trump.
Mr Cheney survived five heart attacks and declared in 2013 he woke up each morning “with a smile on my face, thankful for the gift of another day”.
Pic: Reuters
His family’s statement said: “For decades, Dick Cheney served our nation, including as White House Chief of Staff, Wyoming’s Congressman, Secretary of Defense, and Vice President of the United States.
“Dick Cheney was a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing.
“We are grateful beyond measure for all Dick Cheney did for our country.
“And we are blessed beyond measure to have loved and been loved by this noble giant of a man.”
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