Millions of people across the country paused today to remember the devastating terrorist attacks that happened 12 years ago. But at Boston Logan International Airport, the opposite of a moment of silence took place – there was a realistic fire training exercise.
According to CNN, the Boston Fire Department was in no way affiliated with the incident – the airport used their own fire department for the drill.
The fire drill, which the Daily News reports involved fake smoke and flames, sent people into a panic. Boston Logan International Airport is the same location where two of the planes involved in the 9/11 terrorist attack departed from.
Massport to to Facebook to express their apology, saying, “Massport apologizes for conducting the fire training exercise and understands that it may have offended many of those touched by the events of Sept. 11. Safety and security is our top priority and constant vigilance and readiness is critical, but the exercise should not have taken place on the anniversary of 9/11. The airport community recognizes the day with moments of silence, a service in the chapel, and a wreath at the 9/11 memorial.”
Massachusetts Governor apparently had no idea that the fire exercise was planned. When asked about it, he responded, “I didn’t know it was going to happen, and it’s just dumb. The timing could not be worse.”
American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 flew out of Logan Airport on September 11, 2001 and were hijacked, crashing into the two towers of the World Trade Center. 2,996 people were killed in New York City, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania in the terrorist attacks.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
