The odds are against them!
By now everyone has been hearing the death toll rise and reports of the destruction from the terrorist attacks on the US. These were deplorable acts that we will never forget. But now is a time to look at the other side of the numbers coming out of New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. The sad but somewhat uplifting side that has not been reported yet - the SURVIVAL rates and some positive news about the attacks.
*** The Buildings ***
* The World Trade Center -
The twin towers of the World Trade Center were places of employment for
some 50,000 people. With the missing list of just over 5,000 people,
that means 90% of the people targeted survived the attack. A 90%
on a test is an 'A'.
* The Pentagon -
Some 23,000 people were the target of a third plane aimed at the
Pentagon. The latest count shows that only 123 lost their lives. That is
an amazing 99.5% survival rate. In addition, the plane seems to have come
in too low, too early to affect a large portion of the building. On top
of that, the section that was hit was the first of five sections to
undergo renovations that would help protect the Pentagon from terrorist
attacks. It had recently completed straightening and blast proofing,
saving untold lives. This attack was sad, but a statistical failure.
*** The Planes ***
* American Airlines Flight 77
This Boeing 757 that was flown into the outside of the Pentagon could
have carried up to 289 people, yet only 64 were aboard. Luckily 78% of
the seats were empty.
* American Airlines Flight 11 This Boeing 767 could have had up to 351
people aboard, but only carried 92.
Thankfully 74% of the seats were unfilled.
* United Airlines Flight 175
Another Boeing 767 that could have sat 351 people only had 65 people on
board. Fortunately it was 81% empty.
* United Airlines Flight 93
This Boeing 757 was one of the most uplifting stories yet. The smallest flight to be hijacked with only 45 people aboard out of a possible 289 had 84% of its capacity unused. Yet these people stood up to the attackers and thwarted a fourth attempted destruction of a national landmark, saving untold numbers of lives in the process.
*** In Summary ***
Out of potentially 74,280 Americans directly targeted, 93% survived or avoided the attacks.
That's a higher survival rate than heart attacks, breast cancer, kidney transplants and liver transplants - all common, survivable illnesses.
The Hijacked planes were mostly empty, the Pentagon was hit at it's strongest point, the overwhelming majority of people in the World Trade Center buildings escaped, and a handful of passengers gave the ultimate sacrifice to save even more lives.
Don't fear these terrorists. The odds are against them!
