[caea-l] [EQUIFLASH: URGENT NOTICE RE: ATTACK IN THE UNITED STATES]

[Patricia Joyce]

~~~~~~~~~~ equiflash ~~~~~~~~~~~~

As you will be aware through media broadcasts, a major terrorist attack has 
taken place in the United States. The World Trade Centre in New York and the 
Pentagon in Washington were among the buildings decimated by plane 
hijackings and bombings.

Equity is currently working to contact our members living and working in the 
United States, especially in New York, to ensure their safety. We are also 
in contact with American companies currently touring in Canada to assist 
them. For American members of Equity currently working in Canada, we are 
trying to assist these people in contacting their families and, if 
necessary, to return home. If you are an Equity member living or working in 
the US, particularly New York, we would appreciate hearing from you to know 
you are safe; please write: assted at caea.com or call the Equity national 
office: 1-800-387-1856.

At the present, communication in and out of New York City is nearly 
impossible.  However, as telephone communication is re-established, we will 
provide as much information as we can to those seeking information about 
friends and relatives.

Members in the US may be attempting to cross-borders. We have been assured 
that although the process is slow, the highway border crossings between 
Canada and the US are currently open. For up to the minute information on 
air, rail and road travel, please refer to the links provided below.

Also, an urgent call has gone out across the country for blood donations.  
The Canadian Blood Service, in coordination with the American Red Cross, has 
issued an urgent appeal for donations of blood, to be sent to the US cities 
of New York, and Washington.  If you are in a position to donate blood, 
please contact: 1-888-236-6283, your local CBS office for information about 
donation centres or: http://www.bloodservices.ca/english/home_english.html

Canadians worried about family and friends in the US can call an information 
hot-line at: 1800-387-3124.

Further details on the attack are up-to-date broadcasts are available at:

http://www.canoe.ca/Canoe/home.html
http://www.cnn.com/
http://www.cbc.com

For an index to the Web sites and physical addresses of the Canadian 
Embassies and Consulates: 
http://canadaonline.about.com/library/fed/blfemblist.htm


Thousands of casualties in terror attacks on U.S.
A series of explosions has devastated key buildings in New York and
Washington causing widespread chaos. City officials in New York say the
number of dead or injured could be in the thousands.

Canadian airports closed indefinitely
Canadian transportation officials have shut down all airports in Canada
indefinitely.

Pentagon hit in attack on Washington
The heart of the American military, the Pentagon, was struck by an
airplane in a second front of the suspected terrorist attack on the United
States. The impact of the crash knocked people inside the building off
their feet - and sent a plume of smoke into the air above the American
capital.

Soon it was obvious: this was no accident
When the first astonishing collision happened at 8:48 a.m. in lower
Manhattan, it appeared that an airplane had struck one of the towers of
the World Trade Center. Horrendous as that was, within 20 minutes it
became much worse.

FULL STORIES: http://cbc.ca/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Canadian airports closed indefinitely
WebPosted Tue Sep 11 13:44:20 2001
TORONTO - Canadian transportation officials have shut down all airports in
Canada indefinitely.

All domestic and international flights have been grounded as a
precautionary measure after a series of attacks on high-profile targets in
the United States. The closure was confirmed by a senior government source
in Ottawa.

Transportation Minister David Collenette says Canada is taking security
very seriously and will be carefully monitoring the situation.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien has condemned what he called a "cowardly
attack" south of the border. Key Canadian ministries are holding meetings
and are expected to make an announcement shortly.

Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs has issued a phone number for
anyone worried about friends or family in the New York area. Spokesperson
Marie Lilkoff says Canadians can call 1-800-387-3124 for information.

U.S. flights diverted to Canada

The United States Federal Aviation Authority had earlier ordered all
international flights to the United States to be diverted to Canada.

Canada will accept all of the rerouted flights, but no others.

"All Canadian airspace has been closed other than for inbound overseas
flights," said Calgary Airport Authority spokesperson Mike Cunnington.

Airports throughout Atlantic Canada are getting ready to receive a large
influx of flights. Moncton and St. John's expect up to 25 diverted planes,
and CFB Goose Bay in Labrador expects close to 60 unscheduled landings.

Halifax airport says they currently have 23 planes on the ground and
expect 27 more. The RCMP will search all of the passengers' luggage and
they will be transported to large sports facilities in the city for the
night. All the hotels in Halifax are full.

A spokesperson for the Greater Toronto Airport Authority says people
should not even come to airports because no flights will be landing.

All Canadian borders to New York state will be limited. Border guards are
on high alert and inspecting all vehicles, said Stan Matthews, an official
with the Peace Bridge linking Buffalo and Fort Erie, Ontario.

The Chief of Maritime staff in Halifax has ordered a lock-down and has
posted guards at the gates the navy dockyards and the Shearwater air base.

Several office complexes in Toronto have allowed their employees to leave
work as a precaution and the CN Tower has been shut down.

The CN tower belongs to the World Federation of Tall Towers, along with
the World Trade Centre and the two work together frequently.

"Quite a few of CN Tower staff work with World Trade Center staff. There
was a lot of back and forth travel in the last month. We both belong to
the same industry association and this tragedy has hit us personally,"
commented Bud Purves, President and GM of the CN Tower.

The Canadian Blood Services also announced they are starting a
cross-country call for blood donations to ship to emergency centres in the
U.S.


Written by CBC News Online staff







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