The attacks of September 11, 2001 killed more than 2,900 people. To this should be added the many rescuers who developed cancer after intervening on the site.
The September 11 attacks continue to claim victims 13 years later. The collapse of the Twin Towers had long-term consequences for the health of those present … and they cannot be said to be particularly encouraging.
2,518 reported cancers
37,000 people were on the front line on September 11, 2001. Firefighters, police officers, rescuers and volunteers came to the aid of people stranded in the rubble of towers or tried to contain the fires. Later, many construction workers were called in to clear Ground Zero and begin the reconstruction work.
Of these, 2,518 people have been diagnosed with cancer, half of them within the past two years. The proportion of leukemia, prostate or thyroid cancer is much higher in this group than in the rest of the population. And according to doctors, other cases could still occur in the coming years. The toxic products and the fumes that were inhaled during and after the double attack certainly had negative effects in the long term.
A fund to help rescuers
A specific fund, the Federal 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund for Lung Disease and Inoperable Pancreatic Cancer, was set up to come to the aid of former rescuers who fell ill after September 11, as well as to financially support their families. 115 of them have already received financial compensation, for a total amount of $ 50.5 million.
This is the case of a 63-year-old retired firefighter from the famous FDNY brigade, poorly rewarded for his action. He had spent the entire week following the attack on the Ground Zero site. Last year, he was awarded $ 1.5 million for serious respiratory problems, which he had suffered since 2008. Doctors had directly linked these to his courageous action on September 11, 2001.
The other patients will be able to come forward until October 12, 2014 to hope to receive compensation. Since June 30, the compensation fund for victims has received no less than 1,145 requests. Proof that the damage of September 11 is still alive.
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