Over two decades since the September 11th attacks shook the world, a man has come forward with previously unreleased footage capturing the collapse of the Twin Towers from a rare vantage point. The chilling video, filmed by Kei Sugimoto, had remained untouched for over 22 years until it was recently digitized and shared with the public.
A Day Etched in History
On the morning of September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists affiliated with Al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airplanes in a coordinated assault against the United States. Two of those planes were flown into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, resulting in their eventual collapse and claiming the lives of nearly 3,000 people. The event would become a turning point in global politics, security, and American foreign policy.
Footage Rediscovered After Decades
While sorting through his closet, Sugimoto stumbled upon old video tapes recorded with a Sony VX2000 on the day of the attacks. Realizing the historical value of what he had, he rushed to digitize the recordings, fearing they might have been damaged over time. What he recovered was a gripping visual of the Twin Towers falling—offering an angle previously unseen by the public.
A Rare View from the North
The footage, filmed from the rooftop of a building at 64 St. Marks Place in Manhattan, captures the towers from the north—a perspective not typically shown in archival footage. As the black smoke thickens and the buildings begin to crumble, viewers are reminded of the chaos and gravity of that morning in a deeply visceral way. One viewer remarked, “You rarely see this angle—it hits differently.”
Social Media Responds
Since it surfaced online on July 23, 2023, the video has quickly gained traction across various social media platforms. Many users expressed disbelief that new footage could still emerge so long after the attacks. “It’s surreal that after all these years, something like this can still come to light,” one Reddit commenter wrote.
Preserving the Past
Sugimoto’s video serves as a powerful testament to the importance of preserving personal records. As discussions unfold online, some are now wondering how many other untold pieces of history lie forgotten in closets or attics. “It really makes you think about how much history is still out there, waiting to be rediscovered,” another user noted.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
By choosing to release his recording, Sugimoto has contributed a valuable piece to the collective memory of 9/11. His footage adds a new visual layer to the event, helping current and future generations better grasp the scale and impact of one of the most significant days in recent history. As it continues to circulate, the video stands as both a historical artifact and a reminder of the legacy left in the wake of that tragic day.
Sources
“Man who shared new 9/11 footage after 23 years from ‘unseen angle’ explains what it was like to witness the atrocity.” Lad Bible. Brenna Cooper. July 31, 2024.
“Man releases new footage of 9/11 after 23 years revealing unseen angle of Twin Towers collapse.” Unilad. Kit Roberts. July 26, 2024.
