Collapse of World Trade Center towers, illustration. These towers collapsed following the September 11 Twin Towers attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, USA. These impacts were made by passenger aeroplanes hijacked by terrorists on 11 September 2001. The fires that broke out in the buildings caused them to collapse at 09:59 (South Tower) and 10:28 (North Tower). Many people evacuated safely, but 2606 in the buildings and the surrounding area were killed.