Sylwester Łukasiewicz recounts witnessing the WTC attacks

Polish camera operator Sylwester Łukasiewicz has shared his firsthand recollections of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Having moved to New York in 1996, Łukasiewicz was working on television coverage for mayoral primaries on the morning of the attacks when the first plane struck the North Tower.

Located just five blocks away at the intersection of Chambers and Greenwich Streets, Łukasiewicz witnessed the impact, the smoke, and the falling debris. He reported that the sight of the destruction and people jumping from the towers was so traumatic that he eventually had to stop filming. He noted that the most striking elements of the day were the intense fire and smoke, contrasted with the eerie silence on the streets and the clear blue sky.

Łukasiewicz, who had previously celebrated his graduation at the Windows on the World restaurant in one of the towers, returned to the area days later to film first responders, including firefighters and police officers, at aid stations.