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CNN Saturday Morning News

Grueling Effort Continues in Lower Manhattan

Aired September 22, 2001 - 11:35   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: A grueling effort does continue here in the lower part of Manhattan. Keep in mind, any time we show you the pictures of the former World Trade Center site, only you can see, the only material we can see, is that debris and rubble above the street. But we are told also below the street there is a significant amount as well to clear out.

The governor yesterday and the mayor saying six months before that site is entirely cleaned up.

Michael Okwu, down on the street watching the latest on this Saturday morning for us. Michael, good morning again to you.

MICHAEL OKWU, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Bill, good morning again to you.

I am standing about 15 blocks north of ground zero, slightly farther away, slightly farther away from ground zero than we've been broadcasting for the past week, week and a half or so. And that's because police officials and other officials here have become increasingly more sensitive about our access to the site.

You can see, however, that what was once a very recognizable plume of smoke over my shoulder seems to have joined forces, if you will, with a very thick cloud of fog, and from my vantage point, it has created a blanket that is covering the city.

Not much to report in terms of progress here, Bill. Still 6,333 people are presumed dead, and they are missing. Moments ago, we spoke to Richard Ford, who is a retired fireman from Houston, and this is what he had to tell us.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD FORD, RETIRED HOUSTON FIREMAN: They are finding firemen, and they are finding policemen. And just a lot of, you know, lot of poor, innocent people, you know. But America can be proud of people, because you get stuff like this sent in.

(CROSSTALK)

FORD: So it's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) over, but, you know, people are helping out. And it makes a big difference.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

OKWU: The rescue workers have now moved out more than 76,000 tons of rubble. As one worker put it, "It is barely scratching the surface."

Bill?

HEMMER: Michael, and you can tell, talking with rescue workers, just in their voices when they finish their shift, how exhausting that work can be and how tired they are once they come out.

Michael Okwu, many thanks, on the streets of Manhattan.

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