Current:Home > InvestAuthorities identify remains of 2 victims killed in 9/11 attack on World Trade Center-LoTradeCoin
Authorities identify remains of 2 victims killed in 9/11 attack on World Trade Center
View Date:2024-12-23 15:21:05
NEW YORK (AP) — The remains of two people who died in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center have been identified, the latest positive identification in the decadeslong effort to return victims to their families.
Authorities confirmed the identification of the remains of a man and woman days ahead of the 22nd anniversary of the hijacked-plane attack that killed nearly 3,000 people in Lower Manhattan. Their names were withheld by city officials at the request of their families.
New York City’s medical examiner has now been able to link remains to 1,649 World Trade Center victims, a painstaking process that relies on leading-edge DNA sequencing techniques to test body fragments recovered in the rubble.
Advancements in the sequencing technology, including increased test sensitivity and faster turnaround times, have allowed officials to identify remains that had tested negative for identifiable DNA for decades, officials said.
Similar efforts are used by the U.S. military to identify missing service members and are currently underway to test body fragments from more than 100 people killed during the wildfires in Maui last month.
Despite forensic advancements, the effort to identify the remains of 9/11 victims has slowed in recent years. The two positive identifications are the first since September 2021, officials said. Before that, the last identification was made in 2019.
More than 1,000 human remains from the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks have yet to be identified. They are currently being stored at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center site.
Dr. Jason Graham, the city’s chief medical examiner, said officials were committed to fulfilling their “solemn pledge” to return the remains of all of the attack’s victims.
“Faced with the largest and most complex forensic investigation in the history of our country, we stand undaunted in our mission to use the latest advances in science to serve this promise,” Graham said.
veryGood! (5)
Related
- New Orleans marks with parade the 64th anniversary of 4 little girls integrating city schools
- JoJo Siwa Reveals Her Home Was Swatted Again
- Misinformation and conspiracy theories swirl in wake of Trump assassination attempt
- Why Wait Till December? These Amazon Prime Day Deals Make Great Christmas Gifts, Starting at $7
- The Bachelorette's Desiree Hartsock Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Chris Siegfried
- Judge refuses to extend timeframe for Georgia’s new Medicaid plan, only one with work requirement
- Police officer encountered Trump shooter on roof before rampage, report says
- Prime Day 2024 Deal: Save 30% on Laneige Products Used by Sydney Sweeney, Alix Earle, Hannah Brown & More
- Bull doge! Dogecoin soars as Trump announces a government efficiency group nicknamed DOGE
- Certain foods can cause changes in urine, but so can medical conditions. Know the signs.
Ranking
- Diamond Sports Group can emerge out of bankruptcy after having reorganization plan approved
- Griff talks new album 'Vertigo' and opening for Taylor Swift during Eras Tour
- Christina Hall's Husband Josh Hall Files for Divorce After 2 Years of Marriage
- Sean O'Brien, Teamsters union chief, becomes first Teamster to address RNC
- Why Suits' Gabriel Macht Needed Time Away From Harvey Specter After Finale
- AT&T says nearly all of its cell customers' call and text records were exposed in massive breach
- Prime Day 2024 Deal: Save 30% on Laneige Products Used by Sydney Sweeney, Alix Earle, Hannah Brown & More
- Albert the alligator’s owner sues New York state agency in effort to be reunited with seized pet
Recommendation
-
Stocks soared on news of Trump's election. Bonds sank. Here's why.
-
MSNBC’s ‘Morning Joe’ host says he was surprised and disappointed the show was pulled from the air
-
Soros’ Open Society Foundations say their restructuring is complete and pledge $400M for green jobs
-
Messi 'doing well' after Copa America ankle injury, says he'll return 'hopefully soon'
-
Charles Hanover: A Summary of the UK Stock Market in 2023
-
Real Salt Lake's Cristian 'Chicho' Arango suspended four games
-
Border arrests plunge 29% in June to the lowest of Biden’s presidency as asylum halt takes hold
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Crack Open