As the world commemorates the 23rd anniversary of the devastating 9/11 terrorist attacks, a powerful photograph taken by late photojournalist Bill Biggart has once again captured global attention. The 2001 attacks on New York City’s World Trade Center, which resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths, profoundly altered the course of history and continue to serve as a reminder of the vulnerabilities even the most powerful nations face.
On that tragic day, hijacked planes crashed into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania, marking the deadliest attack on U.S. soil since Pearl Harbor. Among those who witnessed the horrific events was Bill Biggart, a veteran press photographer. As chaos unfolded around him, Biggart fearlessly documented the destruction, capturing what would be his final photograph—an image of the collapsing South Tower. Tragically, he died just moments later.
Bill Biggart was renowned for his commitment to capturing conflict and social movements both in the United States and abroad. Known for his bravery in documenting dangerous situations, his work often took him to the front lines of war zones and areas of civil unrest, where he chronicled the harsh realities of life in crisis.
According to PetaPixel, during the attack, Biggart’s wife called him to inform him that the event was a terrorist act, not an accident. “I’m OK,” he reassured her, adding, “I’m with the firemen.” Bolivar Arellano, a fellow photographer from the New York Post, recalled seeing Biggart at the scene, noting that Biggart was closer to the towers than any other photographer, and even many of the firefighters.
At 10:28:22 a.m., the North Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed after its weakened support structure gave way. Just two seconds later, at 10:28:24 a.m., Bill Biggart took his final photograph, capturing the ruins of the South Tower alongside the still-standing base of the North Tower. The image, shrouded in dust and smoke, conveyed a haunting sense of loss, with its muted tones reflecting the grimness of that fateful day.
Bill Biggart was likely still looking through the viewfinder of his Canon D30 camera when the North Tower collapsed, burying him beneath 500,000 tons of glass, concrete, and steel. He was the only professional photographer covering the 9/11 attacks who did not survive.
Four days after the attacks, rescue crews recovered Biggart’s body from the rubble. His final images, including the last frame taken just before his death, have since become a poignant symbol of the bravery displayed by first responders, civilians, and journalists alike on that day.
Biggart’s legacy as a photojournalist who risked everything to document history lives on through his work, serving as a reminder of the courage and resilience of those who witnessed the tragedy of 9/11 firsthand.
