September 11, 2001, commonly referred to as 9/11, was one of the darkest days in the history of the United States of America when barbaric terrorist attacks changed the political landscape of the country.

September 11, 2001, commonly referred to as 9/11, was one of the darkest days in the history of the United States of America when barbaric terrorist attacks changed the political landscape of the country. Not just the country, but the entire world was shocked after watching devastating footage when two massive 110-storey towers known as the World Trade Centre (WTC) collapsed less than two hours after the attacks. Nearly 3,000 people were killed after Al-Qaeda terrorists flew hijacked planes and crashed them into the WTC towers in New York and the Pentagon in Washington and another into a field in Pennsylvania. ALSO READ | Military judge presiding over 9/11 trial feels 'no pressure' The tragedies left an everlasting impact on the bereaved families and also caused health-related problems to the survivors and rescuers years after the disaster. Researchers have documented the physical and mental health effects which have directly been linked to the disaster. One such was published in the US National Library of Medicine in 2019, which was a call for articles on "Long-Term Health Effects of the 9/11 Disaster". After the towers collapsed, they released tonnes of dust, gases and debris causing health problems among persons directly exposed. The articles shed light upon the physical and mental health disorders that continue to plague thousands of people years after the tragedy and also talk about the newly identified conditions emerging as a result of prolonged disease latency. The articles revealed that "respiratory and lung problems are among the most prevalent and highly persistent physical health problems" arising from 9/11 exposure to dust clouds from the collapsing building and the subsequent re-suspension of dust. Firefighters with high-intensity exposure on 9/11 had an increased risk of bronchial wall thickening, emphysema and air trapping. Findings further revealed a condition known as sarcoidosis and sarcoid-like granulomatous, which is a rare autoimmune disease that can affect any organ. "Among rescue, recovery, clean-up workers, it has been previously reported as a granulomatous disease involving the thoracic organs, primarily among firefighters or other rescues, recovery, or clean-up workers arriving early at the WTC site." (Image: In this file photo taken on September 11, 2001, smoke billows after the first of the two towers of the World Trade Center collapses. Source: AFP) Other long-term adverse health outcomes of WTC-related exposure include neurological conditions and cancer, emerging conditions including peripheral neuropathy, paresthesia and thyroid cancer. A high prevalence of adverse mental health, especially post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has also been documented among the 9/11 survivors. "Apart from functionality and physical loss, there is concern that persons exposed to 9/11 could be at greater risk of cognitive impairment, memory loss, or confusion at a faster rate than would be expected normally with age," a part of the study read. More deaths from 9/11-linked illnesses than in attack? More people are believed to have died from illnesses related to 9/11 than were killed on the actual day of the Al-Qaeda attacks on New York and Washington, according to a report published on Tuesday (September 7). The September 11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) has received more than 67,000 claims since it reopened in 2011. Nearly 3,900 of those claims were filed on behalf of someone who is alleged to have died of a 9/11-related illness, the VCF said in a report. "That means that the number of people believed to have died of a 9/11-related illness subsequent to 9/11 has now exceeded the number of people who died on 9/11," said Rupa Bhattacharyya, the "special master" who administers the fund. "More people are now believed to have died of 9/11-related illnesses than were lost on September 11, 2001," she said. Nearly 50 per cent of those filing claims in recent years have cancer. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

9/11 injuries, trauma, aftermath diseases caused more deaths over the years than the tragedy itself

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan has "heartened and emboldened" extremists, according to the chief of Britain's domestic intelligence service, and might lead to the resumption of significant "al-Qaida-style" terrorist plots against the West.

The withdrawal of NATO forces and the fall of the internationally supported Afghan government might put the UK at "greater risk," according to MI5 Director General Ken McCallum.

In a rare interview with the BBC, McCallum said: "Terrorist threats don't change overnight in terms of directed plotting, training camps, or infrastructure-the kinds of things that al Qaida had in Afghanistan at the time of 9/11."&nbsp;

"But what does happen overnight, even though those directed plots and centrally organised bits of terrorism take a bit longer to rebuild... Overnight, you can have a psychological boost, a morale boost to extremists already here, or in other countries. So we need to be vigilant about the increase in inspired terrorism, which has become a real trend for us to deal with over the last five to 10 years, alongside the potential regrowth of al-Qaida-style directed plots, " he added.

In the last two decades, Islamist-inspired extremists have carried out a number of violent acts in the United Kingdom.

On July 7, 2005, four suicide bombers killed 52 people on London subway trains and a bus, making it the bloodiest attack in the city's history.

Individuals inspired by extremists such as the Islamic State group, but not commanded by them, have carried out many recent knife and vehicle attacks.

According to McCallum, UK authorities have foiled 31 attack attempts by both Islamic and far-right extremists in the last four years.

He claimed that 20 years after the September 11 attacks in the United States, it was difficult to assess whether Britain was safer or less safe.&nbsp;

"The number of plots that we disrupt nowadays are actually higher than the number of plots that were coming at us after 9/11, but on average they are smaller plots of lower sophistication," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan has "heartened and emboldened" extremists, according to the chief of Britain's domestic intelligence service, and might lead to the resumption of significant "al-Qaida-style" terrorist plots against the West.

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan has "heartened and emboldened" extremists, according to the chief of Britain's domestic intelligence service, and might lead to the resumption of significant "al-Qaida-style" terrorist plots against the West. The withdrawal of NATO forces and the fall of the internationally supported Afghan government might put the UK at "greater risk," according to MI5 Director General Ken McCallum. In a rare interview with the BBC, McCallum said: "Terrorist threats don't change overnight in terms of directed plotting, training camps, or infrastructure-the kinds of things that al Qaida had in Afghanistan at the time of 9/11." "But what does happen overnight, even though those directed plots and centrally organised bits of terrorism take a bit longer to rebuild... Overnight, you can have a psychological boost, a morale boost to extremists already here, or in other countries. So we need to be vigilant about the increase in inspired terrorism, which has become a real trend for us to deal with over the last five to 10 years, alongside the potential regrowth of al-Qaida-style directed plots, " he added. In the last two decades, Islamist-inspired extremists have carried out a number of violent acts in the United Kingdom. On July 7, 2005, four suicide bombers killed 52 people on London subway trains and a bus, making it the bloodiest attack in the city's history. Individuals inspired by extremists such as the Islamic State group, but not commanded by them, have carried out many recent knife and vehicle attacks. According to McCallum, UK authorities have foiled 31 attack attempts by both Islamic and far-right extremists in the last four years. He claimed that 20 years after the September 11 attacks in the United States, it was difficult to assess whether Britain was safer or less safe. "The number of plots that we disrupt nowadays are actually higher than the number of plots that were coming at us after 9/11, but on average they are smaller plots of lower sophistication," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban takeover could fuel terror plots against West: UK spy chief

A new report has revealed that diseases associated with 9/11 have been the cause of more deaths than the deadly twin tower attack itself.

According to the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF), it has received over 3,900 claims related to 9/11 illnesses since its opening in 2011.

Almost 50 per cent of those filing claims have recently been diagnosed with cancer.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-bojinka-plot-how-the-911-strikes-were-conceived-411361/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The fund's ''special master'' Rupa Bhattacharyya says that means ''the number of people believed to have died of a 9/11-related illness subsequent to 9/11 has now exceeded the number of people who died on 9/11.''

Nearly 3,000 people were killed when hijacked jetliners crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2011.

The fund created for compensating those who were killed in 9/11, has issued cheques worth over &nbsp;$8.95 billion to more than 40,000 individuals.

The responsibility for the attack was claimed by Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda which followed a US-led war in Afghanistan

Bin Laden was killed by the US forces in Afghanistan in 2011 in a surprise raid in his hideout in Pakistan.

A new report has revealed that diseases associated with 9/11 have been the cause of more deaths than the deadly twin tower attack itself. According to the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF), it has received over 3,900 claims related to 9/11 illnesses since its opening in 2011.

A new report has revealed that diseases associated with 9/11 have been the cause of more deaths than the deadly twin tower attack itself. According to the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF), it has received over 3,900 claims related to 9/11 illnesses since its opening in 2011. Almost 50 per cent of those filing claims have recently been diagnosed with cancer. The fund's ''special master'' Rupa Bhattacharyya says that means ''the number of people believed to have died of a 9/11-related illness subsequent to 9/11 has now exceeded the number of people who died on 9/11.'' Nearly 3,000 people were killed when hijacked jetliners crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2011. The fund created for compensating those who were killed in 9/11, has issued cheques worth over $8.95 billion to more than 40,000 individuals. The responsibility for the attack was claimed by Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda which followed a US-led war in Afghanistan Bin Laden was killed by the US forces in Afghanistan in 2011 in a surprise raid in his hideout in Pakistan.

Illnesses associated with 9/11 have caused more deaths than the attack: Report