The United States is marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, with memorial ceremonies, survivor accounts and tributes taking place across the country and beyond.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed when hijacked aircraft were used in attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., and a field in Pennsylvania. The anniversary has prompted renewed reflection on the lives lost and the lasting impact of the attacks.
In the UK, MI5 Director General Ken McCallum issued a warning that security agencies must avoid becoming too focused on threats from the past. Writing in The Independent, McCallum said a future major strategic shock could emerge from areas that authorities are not currently watching closely.
McCallum said al-Qaeda has been weakened but that terrorist organisations continue to seek opportunities to cause mass casualties. He also highlighted other security challenges, including cyberattacks, sabotage and activities linked to state-backed actors.
His comments were framed as a call for continued vigilance and preparation rather than a prediction of another attack. He argued that governments, businesses and academic institutions need to work together to identify and respond to emerging threats.
Meanwhile, survivors of the 2001 attacks have been sharing their experiences as a new generation reaches adulthood without personal memories of the event. One survivor interviewed by ITV News, former World Trade Center employee Janice Brooks, described escaping from the South Tower after the second plane struck.
First responders have also reflected on the years following the attacks. Former New York firefighter George Campbell recalled spending months working at Ground Zero while colleagues and friends were being remembered at funerals. His story highlights the long-term emotional impact carried by many survivors and emergency workers.
At the National September 11 Memorial in New York, families of victims are gathering to read the names of those killed. The anniversary programme also includes moments of silence corresponding to key moments during the attacks, as well as a tribute to people who later died from illnesses linked to exposure to toxic dust.
Memorial events are also being held at the Pentagon and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania. Across the US, communities are organising ceremonies, volunteer activities and other events intended to preserve the memory of those who died and the stories of those who survived.
Twenty-five years later, the anniversary is being observed not only as a day of remembrance but also as an opportunity to reflect on how the attacks changed international security, emergency response and American society. For survivors and families, however, the day remains deeply personal — a reminder of people whose lives were permanently changed on September 11, 2001.