On September 11, 2001, 2,977 victims were killed in the terrorist attacks in the United States, excluding the 19 hijackers. This total includes 2,606 deaths at the World Trade Center, 125 at the Pentagon, and 40 aboard the four crashed flights. More than 400 first responders and rescue workers died while responding to the attacks. Identification efforts continued for years, with remains confirmed through DNA and other methods in the years following. This guide provides a verified breakdown of who died, how they died, and how identifications have been conducted over time.
Overview of the 9/11 attacks and the victims
The September 11 attacks involved four commercial airplanes, two flown into the Twin Towers, one into the Pentagon, and the fourth crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to overcome the hijackers. The coordinated attacks occurred on a normal workday, amplifying the shock and producing widespread casualties across three locations. The sheer scale of the event required large-scale forensic and victim identification efforts, involving federal, state, and local agencies alongside families and advocacy groups.
Victim counts by location and group
The following table summarizes verified counts of victims by location and responder group as reported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, and the Medical Examiner’s Office for New York City.
| Location or group | Verified detail | Source type |
|---|---|---|
| World Trade Center | 2,606 deaths (including 343 FDNY, 71 law enforcement) | 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund; NYC OCME |
| The Pentagon | 125 deaths (including 55 military personnel) | DoD and 9/11 Commission |
| UA Flight 93 (Pennsylvania) | 40 deaths (all civilians) | 9/11 Commission; NTSB |
| American Airlines Flight 11 | 92 deaths (including 10 hijackers counted separately) | Flight manifest; 9/11 Commission |
| United Airlines Flight 175 | 65 deaths (including 10 hijackers counted separately) | Flight manifest; 9/11 Commission |
| American Airlines Flight 77 | 64 deaths (including 10 hijackers counted separately) | Flight manifest; 9/11 Commission |
| First responders and rescue workers | Over 400 deaths, primarily FDNY and NYPD | NIST; FDNY and NYPD records |
Identification, recovery, and remembrance
Recovery and identification efforts at the World Trade Center site continued for years, using DNA analysis, dental records, and fingerprint comparisons. The New York City Medical Examiner’s Office coordinated with the FBI and victim families to confirm identities whenever possible. In 2011, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum opened, listing the names of all 2,983 victims (including the 19 hijackers) on twin reflecting pools set within the footprints of the original towers. Annual commemorations, educational programs, and ongoing victim assistance initiatives remain central to honoring those who died.
Who was among the dead: breakdowns by group
To clarify who died in the 9/11 attacks, the victims can be grouped into three broad categories for verified understanding: passengers and crew on the four flights, civilians at the World Trade Center, and personnel at the Pentagon.
Passengers and crew
All four flights were hijacked. Flights 11, 175, and 77 were flown into their targets; passengers and crew on Flight 93 fought back, leading to the crash in Pennsylvania. In total, all 246 passengers and crew on those flights died, in addition to the 19 hijackers.
World Trade Center civilians and workers
The towers housed thousands of office workers, visitors, and contractors. Many died from the initial impact and ensuing collapse. In addition, hundreds of emergency workers entered the towers and perished while attempting rescue and evacuation.
The Pentagon and first responders
At the Pentagon, 125 individuals were killed, including many military staff. The largest number of first responder deaths was at the World Trade Center, with 343 firefighters from the FDNY among those lost, along with 71 members of the Police Department and other agencies.
Long-term identification and legal recognition
Identification technologies have advanced since 2001, yet challenges remain. As of recent reports, medical examiners continue to identify remains using modern DNA techniques. Families have sought closure through victim compensation payouts and ongoing memorial services. The 9/11 Commission’s final report provided a comprehensive accounting of the attacks and recommended lasting reforms to national security and victim support programs.
Key takeaways about who died in the 9/11 attacks
- Total victims: 2,977 people excluding the 19 hijackers; 2,983 when including the hijackers.
- Locations: World Trade Center (2,606), Pentagon (125), and crashed flights (40).
- First responders: more than 400 died, including 343 FDNY firefighters.
- Identification: Ongoing for years through forensic science; names are inscribed at the 9/11 Memorial.
- Legal and compensation context: The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund provided payouts to families and has since been reauthorized.