The Falling Man image, taken by AP photographer Richard Drew on September 11, 2001, resurfaced in September 2026 as the 25th anniversary renewed media attention.
Coverage in September 2026 focused on the photograph, the photographer’s memory and the unresolved questions around 9/11.
The image remains one of the most debated visuals from the attacks.
What Is the Falling Man Photo? The Moment Captured at the World Trade Center
The North Tower was struck at 8:46 a.m. Jumpers were reported from upper floors after 9:30 a.m. Drew was positioned on Vesey Street near the World Trade Center.
He photographed a man in a white shirt and tie falling headfirst from the North Tower. The exposure was taken around 9:41 a.m.
Associated Press distributed the photograph. It was published globally on September 12, 2001.
The 9/11 Falling Man: The story behind an image that shocked the world centers on that single frame and its immediate publication.
Photographer Who Took the ‘Falling Man’ Photo Remembers That Moment
Richard Drew spoke to WBUR Here and Now in September 2026 for the 25th anniversary.
He said he kept shooting because he was a photojournalist. He did not know the man’s identity.
Drew described the immediate aftermath as chaotic. He recalled seeing people on the street and smoke rising.
He has spoken publicly about photographer guilt and trauma linked to the image. Reflection on the image has continued for decades.
The photo contributed to debate over photojournalism ethics and the limits of publishing images of victims.
Who Was the Falling Man? Identity Mystery and Unanswered 9/11 Questions
The identity was never officially confirmed by authorities.
Names have been linked to the jumper in media reports, including Jonathan Briley. No official confirmation exists.
The case connects to broader 9/11 mysteries. The Times published coverage on the mysteries of 9/11: four questions that remain unanswered.
The Times article notes lingering unanswered questions about the attacks. Public discussion continues around identification and documentation.
Why the Image Divided the World: Ethics, Trauma and Media Debate
Publication in 2001 prompted public shock. Press freedom arguments were raised by editors.
Debate focused on publishing images of victims. Some outlets ran the photo. Others withheld it.
Families of 9/11 victims expressed pain over the circulation of the image. Collective memory of the attacks includes this visual controversy.
The Legacy of the Falling Man 25 Years Later
The image has been referenced in art, film and documentaries about 9/11.
Remembrance efforts avoid explicit visuals of falling victims. Dignity concerns shape commemorative practice.
Memory, dignity and the cost of iconic images remain central to discussion of the photograph.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is the Falling Man photo?
- A: The Falling Man photo is an AP image taken on September 11, 2001, showing a man in a white shirt and tie falling headfirst from the North Tower of the World Trade Center around 9:41 a.m.
- Q: Who took the Falling Man photo and when was it published?
- A: AP photographer Richard Drew took the photo from Vesey Street. Associated Press distributed it and it was published globally on September 12, 2001.
- Q: Was the identity of the man in the Falling Man photo ever confirmed?
- A: No. Richard Drew said in his September 2026 interview that he did not know the man’s identity and the person remains unidentified.
- Q: Why did the Falling Man image resurface in September 2026?
- A: The image resurfaced for the 25th anniversary of 9/11, sparking renewed media coverage on the photograph, Drew’s memory, photojournalism ethics and unresolved questions around the attacks.
Extended Reading
WBUR Here and Now, September 11, 2026: Falling Man 9/11 Richard Drew interview.
The Times, US American Politics: The mysteries of 9/11: four questions that remain unanswered.
Metro News US, September 10, 2026: The 9/11 Falling Man: The story behind an image that shocked the world.
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