Summary

This "ABC News Special Report" presents coverage of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and their aftermath, as aired on ABC affiliate KABC-TV (Los Angeles). This coverage begins at 9:40 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, September 12. First, correspondent Lisa Stark shares her thoughts on the funds United and American Airlines plan to give to surviving kin of victims on the hijacked flights. She also mentions the implementation of new security measures in airports across the country and the cutbacks that will result. Stark finishes by saying that it is uncertain when air traffic in North America will return to normal. Next, correspondent Claire Shipman in Washington questions the government's disclosure that the White House and Air Force One were targets of the terrorist attacks. Correspondent John McKenzie reports on the exhaustive work of firefighters at the attack site in New York. He also remembers the many firefighters who were inside the World Trade Center towers when they collapsed. Reporter Bill Blakemore then gives a report from downtown Manhattan, explaining that the Marines, the Air Force, the Navy, and the Army have all been called in to help. Seated next to anchor Peter Jennings, correspondent John Miller says that earlier reports on the status of One Liberty Plaza were incorrect; the building has not collapsed. Aerial photographs of lower Manhattan, taken from the IKONOS satellite, and similar shots of the Pentagon are shown onscreen. Dr. Alain Fedida then fills Jennings in on the medical preparations for survivors of the attack. Senator Joe Biden (D-Del.) characterizes the attacks as an act of war. Next, Terry Moran reports on a candlelight vigil being held in front of the White House. Reporter Brian Ross then presents a prerecorded segment on the FBI investigation in Vero Beach, Florida, where suspected terrorists were renting homes. Jennings interviews World Trade Center survivor Stephanie Brown. Next, Chris Cuomo presents a prerecorded segment on what New Yorkers have been doing since the attacks, and Diane Sawyer tells the stories of five survivors of the New York attacks. After this, Jennings reports that the Empire State Building has been declared safe after a bomb threat earlier in the evening. Finally, Martha Raddatz reports on the extensive military mobilization in the aftermath of the hijackings.