Man explains why he's only just released new footage of 9/11 after 23 years that shows collapse from 'unseen angle'

Warning: Contains content some readers may find distressing

It's been almost 23 years since the most tragic terrorist attack in history, and it seems that there's more that we haven't seen of the incident.

On 11 September 2001, two planes crashed into New York City's World Trade Centre, with another flying into the Pentagon, killing almost 3,000 people in total with thousands of injuries and several lives changed forever.

Following the shock of the first plane's impact with the Twin Towers, the second plane's crash was captured live on several TV broadcasts and civilians a lot, with much of the footage captured already shared with the public.

The attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon began the US' war on terrorism. (Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

But, on 23 July this year, a man named Kei Sugimoto uploaded some unseen footage that he captured over 22 years ago to YouTube, as shown from what viewers say is an 'unseen angle'.

Uploading the video 'for historical archival purposes only', he wrote in the description of the video: "Footage I filmed of the World Trade Center Collapsing on 9/11/2001. Filmed from the roof of 64 St Marks Place in NYC on a Sony VX2000 with teleconverter."

The footage shows the collapse of the World Trade Center, and captured the feeling of the city on that fateful day, as the structural integrity of the building gave in after being hit.

But why release it now, almost a quarter of a century later?

The shocking video shows how suddenly the building collapsed. (YouTube/ Kei Sugimoto)

Sugimoto took to the YouTube comments to explain why he posted the footage now.

“I was cleaning my closet and found boxes full of Hi-8, Digital-8, and DV tapes," he began.

"When trying to play them back I noticed that maybe about a 3rd of them had demagnetised over time and were either blank, or suffering from major data corruption.

"After researching online I learned that video tapes are not immune from age even when stored in ideal conditions, so I franntially [sic] started to digitise them. Thus I'm just uploading the video now."

He admitted that he did see the second plane crash, but didn't film it, as he added: "If I remember correctly, I think I ran to get my video camera after seeing the second plane crash sensing that this was no ordinary accident."

The footage has gone viral on several social media platforms, as users said that it showed a 'unique perspective', while commenting that it was a 'crystal clear' video, showing the 'devastating' event.

One user took to X to share their intrigue at the newly released footage, saying: “This footage offers a unique perspective not seen from the south or east,

“You are watching these angles for the first time ever.”

On Reddit, users were also taken aback, as one user said: “Makes me wonder how much history is being stored in people’s attics or basements waiting to be unearthed.”

Another commented: “It’s crazy that we’re almost 23 years out and still getting new footage.”