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New FBI photos show devastation at the Pentagon after 9/11 attacks

NEW YORK -- The FBI has released never-before-seen photos showing the devastation at the Pentagon following the 9/11 attacks.

The new photos were uploaded on March 23 to the FBI’s “Vault,” the bureau’s online hub of archival materials. 

On Sept. 11, 2001, five terrorists hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 and flew the 90-ton plane into the Pentagon, killing all passengers and crew on board as well as 125 civilians and military personnel on the ground. The plane was traveling 530 mph at the time of impact.

The newly released FBI photos show the immediate aftermath of the attack on the Pentagon as smoke and flames engulf the building:

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The Pentagon burns on Sept. 11, 2001 FBI

Aerial photos show the site of the attack after the smoke and dust had settled:

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An overhead view of the Pentagon following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 FBI
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  Another overhead view of the Pentagon following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 FBI

Following the attack, FBI investigators combed over the wreckage near the point of impact:

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The hole left by American Airlines Flight 77 when it crashed into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001 FBI
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The exterior of the Pentagon after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 FBI

Inside the building, the flames from the crash melted office equipment and the walls of the building:

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Melted office equipment inside the Pentagon after the Sept. 11 attacks FBI
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The interior of the Pentagon after the 9/11 attacks FBI/CBS News

Investigators found debris from American Airlines Flight 77, which was en route to Los Angeles when it was hijacked:

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Wreckage from American Airlines Flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001 FBI

You can find all the new photos released by the FBI here.

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