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American Morning

America Under Attack: Investigation at Pentagon Becomes Evident

Aired September 12, 2001 - 11:50   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: New York is not the only site that we have to keep your eyes on, Washington as well. Let's go there now.

Bob Franken checking in from the Pentagon -- Bob?

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Leon, we're about to show you something quite remarkable. You of course have heard that every effort will be made to investigate this case. There will be an exhaustive search for evidence.

Well we just had demonstration of that right in front of our cameras, the FBI obviously trying to make the point for the world to see.

FBI agents fanned out just about 20 feet from where we are right now, fanned out in a grassy area that was close to the path of the airplane that got crashed into the Pentagon, looking very closely at ground, sweeping the ground, so to speak, looking for anything that might be relevant, looking any -- the smallest little piece of information that might provide some evidence that would be useful in the investigation of this particular part of this -- the three planes that crashed into various buildings; this one was an American Airline 757. It crashed into the Pentagon about 26 hours ago -- yes, 26 hours ago.

The investigation is going full tilt as is the effort to try and see just how bad the damage is inside and just how many casualties there are.

We are hearing now that they've located maybe scores of bodies -- by scores I mean under a hundred -- located but perhaps not removed from the building. The Pentagon is not giving out actual figures. Of course there have been estimates that there could be several hundred people whose lives were lost here, although various Pentagon officials do not, in fact, agree that it's going to be that high.

But while that search is going on, and it's very fitful because of the precarious nature of the building, many of the families and loved ones of some of the friends and loved ones of the people who are missing inside can only stand here and watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I told her that here father was missing and that when I knew I would tell her. If he does come out in any type of capacity, then I will be one of the first ones there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They sent in some dogs, but that -- there was no sign of life, but that -- what else is there? That it -- they might be several days before they can even start pulling out bodies.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: And, Leon, while the search is being conducted in a very painstaking way, firemen are still trying to put out the blaze, which in a spot bases, has spread throughout much of the building -- Leon.

HARRIS: All right, thanks to Bob Franken, standing by there at that focal point for us there in Washington, the Pentagon.

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