How Many People Died in 911 – The Complete Death Toll Guide

The September 11, 2001 attacks resulted in the deaths of 2,977 victims, a figure that excludes the 19 hijackers. When the perpetrators are included, the total rises to 2,996. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the official death toll by location, the number of first responders killed, and the ongoing toll from 9/11-related illnesses.

What is the official death toll of the September 11 attacks?

• The commonly cited 2,977 figure at the 9/11 Memorial excludes the 19 hijackers, while the FBI’s investigation includes them (2,996).
• Nearly 10,000 first responders and survivors have been diagnosed with 9/11-related cancers, and over 4,000 have died from related illnesses as of 2023.
• The death toll from 9/11-related diseases is projected to eventually surpass the immediate attack deaths, based on studies from Mount Sinai and NIOSH.
• Over 40% of the World Trade Center victims have not been formally identified due to the nature of the collapse.

2,977 victims (excluding 19 hijackers) – official number used by 9/11 Memorial & Museum

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum, along with Britannica, uses 2,977 as the standard victim count. This number does not include the 19 hijackers. It represents civilians, office workers, airline crew, passengers, and first responders who lost their lives that day.

2,996 total deaths including the 19 hijackers – figure cited by FBI and Wikipedia

The FBI’s 9/11 Investigation and Wikipedia often cite 2,996 deaths, which adds the 19 hijackers to the official victim count. Both figures are accurate depending on whether the perpetrators are counted.

Why there are two commonly cited numbers and which sources use each

The difference exists because most memorials and official commemorations choose not to list the hijackers among the victims. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Britannica, and the New York City medical examiner use 2,977. The FBI and some news organizations include the hijackers, citing a total of 2,996.

How many people died at each attack site on 9/11?

World Trade Center

The deadliest location was the World Trade Center in New York City. The commonly cited figure is 2,753 deaths at the WTC, but the official New York City count, which includes later illness-related deaths, has reached 2,606. The North Tower held approximately 1,700 victims, while the South Tower held around 1,000. Among these were 343 FDNY firefighters, 23 NYPD officers, and 37 Port Authority police officers, totaling 441 first responders killed on the day of the attack, according to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

Pentagon

The attack at the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, killed 184 people. This includes 64 passengers and crew on American Airlines Flight 77 and 125 people on the ground inside the building. The Pentagon Memorial and Department of Defense sources use this 184 figure.

Flight 93

United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. All 40 people on board — 33 passengers and 7 crew members — died in the crash. There were no survivors and no ground fatalities.

First responders at the WTC

The 441 first responders who died on 9/11 represent a significant portion of the immediate casualties. This includes 343 FDNY firefighters, 23 NYPD officers, and 37 Port Authority police officers, along with other emergency personnel.

How many people have died from 9/11-related illnesses since the attacks?

Current estimates

According to NIOSH and CDC data, over 4,000 first responders and survivors have died from 9/11-related illnesses as of 2023. This number continues to rise as new cases of cancer and respiratory diseases are diagnosed and tracked by the World Trade Center Health Registry.

Comparison to immediate deaths

A 2018 study from Mount Sinai predicted that deaths from 9/11 diseases would soon outnumber the 2,977 immediate fatalities. As of 2023, this projection appears to be on track, with the absolute number of illness-related deaths approaching the attack day toll.

Ongoing registry

The World Trade Center Health Registry continues to track new cases and deaths. This data is essential for understanding the long-term health impacts of the toxic dust and debris at Ground Zero.

Why is the exact number of 9/11 deaths not definitively known?

Unidentified remains

As of 2025, the New York City medical examiner reports that 1,103 victims remain unidentified, representing about 40% of the WTC deaths. Remains continue to be processed and identified using DNA technology, and the count is updated periodically.

Illness deaths not counted in original toll

Deaths from 9/11-related diseases are recorded separately by the World Trade Center Health Program and are not included in the immediate attack toll of 2,977. This means there is no single official number that combines both immediate and long-term fatalities.

Ongoing certification

The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner periodically updates the official victim count as remains are identified. The first illness-related death was added in 2007, with additional deaths added in 2009 and 2011.

Evolution of the 9/11 Death Toll

1. 2001: Immediate toll reported as approximately 2,500-3,000
2. 2002: Official count settles at 2,973 (excluding hijackers)
3. 2004: Updated to 2,749 (WTC) after final accounting
4. 2009: Additions from identified remains; total reaches 2,753 (WTC) – still excluding hijackers
5. 2018: Mount Sinai predicts illness deaths will soon overtake immediate toll
6. 2023: Over 4,000 confirmed 9/11-related illness deaths; total including ill less clear

What is certain and what remains uncertain about the 9/11 death toll?

What is the broader context of the 9/11 death toll?

The 9/11 attacks remain the deadliest terrorist attack in history, exceeding the 1988 Lockerbie bombing (270 deaths) and the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing (168 deaths). The attacks killed more people on U.S. soil than the attack on Pearl Harbor (2,403) and prompted the global War on Terror. The long tail of illness deaths is a defining characteristic of 9/11, similar to ground zero exposure illnesses seen after other disasters, such as Chernobyl.

What do the official sources say about the 9/11 death toll?

“The 9/11 terrorist attacks killed 2,977 people and injured thousands.”

9/11 Memorial & Museum

“The September 11 attacks were the deadliest terrorist attacks in human history, causing the deaths of 2,996 people, including 19 hijackers.”

Wikipedia – Casualties of the September 11 attacks

“Deaths From 9/11 Diseases Will Soon Outnumber Those Lost on That Fateful Day.”

Mount Sinai Health System (2018)

Summary of the 9/11 death toll

In total, 2,977 victims were killed on September 11, 2001, excluding the 19 hijackers. The breakdown by location is 2,606 at the World Trade Center, 125 at the Pentagon, and 40 on United Flight 93. As of 2023, over 4,000 first responders and survivors have died from 9/11-related illnesses, a number that continues to rise. For a deeper look at the numbers, see our September 11, 2001 death toll and casualty breakdown.

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