Boston airport apologizes after fire drill on 9/11 sparks outrage
BOSTON Officials at Boston's Logan International Airport apologized for holding a fire drill, complete with smoke and flames, on the 12th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
On Wednesday morning, the Massachusetts Port Authority conducted the drill, which involved what appeared to be a plane on fire, CBS Boston reports.
Boston Logan Airport tweeted the smoke and fire was part of a drill.
Heavy black smoke could be seen drifting over the airfield.
The tweet sparked several other tweets asking why authorities would choose September 11 to conduct a drill involving a plane on fire.
Dozens of people also took to Boston Logan Airport's Facebook page to complain about the poor timing.
"That is ridiculous. Have some respect. People died 12 years ago on flights originating out of your airport. How dare you," one person wrote.
"How insensitive can you be!" wrote another.
Another asked why authorities would schedule the drill on a day when travelers are already "on edge."
The two jetliners that were hijacked and flown into the World Trade Center's twin towers, took off from Logan Airport on September 11, 2001.
By noon, Massport apologized for the drill on the Logan Airport Facebook page and Twitter feed:
"Massport apologizes for conducting the fire training exercise and understands that it may have offended many of those touched by the events of Sept. 11. Safety and security is our top priority and constant vigilance and readiness is critical, but the exercise should not have taken place on the anniversary of 9/11. The airport community recognizes the day with moments of silence, a service in the chapel, and a wreath at the 9/11 memorial."
Gov. Deval Patrick told the State House News Service holding the drill on the anniversary of September 11 was "Just dumb."
"It's just dumb. I mean the timing could not be worse," Patrick told reporters.