USA: In a poignant development ahead of the 22nd anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the United States, authorities have successfully identified the remains of two individuals who tragically lost their lives in the collapse of the World Trade Center. 

These identifications were made possible through advanced DNA analysis, marking a solemn but significant moment in the ongoing effort to provide closure to the families affected by the 2001 disaster.

The identities of the two individuals, a man and a woman, are being kept confidential at the request of their families. With these latest identifications, the total number of victims whose remains have been positively identified now stands at 1,649, out of the 2,753 lives lost in the catastrophic events when an Al-Qaeda terrorist group commandeered two hijacked civilian airliners, crashing them into New York's iconic twin towers.

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams, speaking on the occasion, expressed his hope that these newfound identifications might offer some solace to the grieving families. 

He commended the unwavering commitment of the Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) in their tireless efforts to reunite all World Trade Center victims with their loved ones.

However, the path to closure remains long and painful, with 1,104 victims still awaiting identification. The previous two identifications occurred in 2021. 

The enormity of the tragedy was such that the violence and destruction wrought by the collapse of the twin towers left no identifiable trace of hundreds of the missing individuals.

The breakthrough in identifying the two victims was made possible through the utilization of "next-generation sequencing technology," a method noted for its heightened sensitivity and rapidity compared to conventional DNA techniques. Notably, remains of the man and woman had been discovered years prior to the recent identifications.

As the world prepares to commemorate the 2001 attacks on September 11, these identifications serve as a somber reminder of the enduring impact of that fateful day.

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The September 11 attacks are commemorated annually in New York and across the United States, a tradition that will continue this Monday. The devastating events of that day saw 19 militants, primarily of Saudi origin, hijack four planes. 

While two of these planes infamously demolished the World Trade Center's twin towers, another crashed into the Pentagon near Washington, causing substantial damage. 

The fourth plane, United Flight 93, met a different fate, crashing into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after brave passengers and crew members valiantly resisted the hijackers.

The coordinated attacks on September 11, 2001, collectively claimed the lives of 2,977 individuals, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's history and psyche.

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As the world pauses to remember the events of that tragic day, the successful identification of these two victims serves as a testament to the enduring commitment to honor their memory and provide closure to their families. 

It underscores the significance of ongoing efforts to preserve the legacy of the September 11 attacks and the lives they forever changed.