Remembering 9/11: When Gander provided safe haven in a time of crisis
This article recounts the story of Gander, Newfoundland, which provided refuge to thousands of stranded passengers after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Local residents mobilized to provide food, shelter, and comfort to the 'plane people' during the unexpected crisis.
Why it matters
The story serves as a historical reflection on human resilience and community solidarity during global crises.
The small Canadian town of Gander isn't near much. Located on the island of Newfoundland, Gander is home to around 12,000 residents. Even fewer people lived here on September 11, 2001, when Gander's far northeast positioning made it an ideal landing spot for grounded flights."Once you leave Europe in the morning, once you get halfways across, the nearest airport is Gander," said Claude Elliott, who was mayor of Gander on 9/11. By the end of that day, 38 planes had landed at Gander's airport, something for which there was no contingency plan. "None," Elliott said. "We have an emergency plan, every municipality has it.
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