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Shooting scare as US marks 9/11 Shooting scare as US marks 9/11
(21 minutes later)
Reports of a shooting incident on the Potomac river just outside Washington DC were a training exercise, US officials say. A Coast Guard training exercise on Washington's Potomac River sparked mistaken reports of a shooting as the US marked the 9/11 attacks anniversary.
CNN had reported that 10 rounds were fired as a vessel tried to go through a security zone. CNN had reported that 10 rounds were fired by the Coast Guard as a vessel tried to go through a security zone.
But officials later said the incident had been a training exercise and no shots were fired.But officials later said the incident had been a training exercise and no shots were fired.
The incident came as ceremonies marking the anniversary of the attacks of 11 September 2001 were being held. It came as President Barack Obama led ceremonies to mark the eighth anniversary of the 2001 attacks.
CNN played an audiotape of the Coast Guard saying: "If you don't slow down, your vessel will be fired upon."CNN played an audiotape of the Coast Guard saying: "If you don't slow down, your vessel will be fired upon."
In the defence of our nation we will never waver, in pursuit of al-Qaeda we will never falter President Barack Obama The dark day The four hijacks How disaster unfolded In pictures: 9/11 anniversaryIn the defence of our nation we will never waver, in pursuit of al-Qaeda we will never falter President Barack Obama The dark day The four hijacks How disaster unfolded In pictures: 9/11 anniversary
The Department of Homeland Security later confirmed that the reported incident was a training exercise, and that no shots were fired.The Department of Homeland Security later confirmed that the reported incident was a training exercise, and that no shots were fired.
However, security officials said they had not been informed in advance about the exercise.However, security officials said they had not been informed in advance about the exercise.
"It would be normal for them to have let us know," Washington police spokeswoman Tracy Hughes told AFP news agency."It would be normal for them to have let us know," Washington police spokeswoman Tracy Hughes told AFP news agency.
"I don't know the circumstances as to why we were not informed, but we were not in this instance.""I don't know the circumstances as to why we were not informed, but we were not in this instance."
The Coast Guard said in a statement that it would conduct a thorough review to establish how the incident could have been perceived as real.The Coast Guard said in a statement that it would conduct a thorough review to establish how the incident could have been perceived as real.
Departures from Reagan National Airport were halted after the incident as a precaution.Departures from Reagan National Airport were halted after the incident as a precaution.
TributesTributes
Remembrance services were held across the US on the eighth anniversary of the 11 September 2001 attacks.Remembrance services were held across the US on the eighth anniversary of the 11 September 2001 attacks.
Adam Brookes, BBC News, Washington DCAdam Brookes, BBC News, Washington DC
The security establishment in Washington DC went into sudden overdrive on Friday morning after a major national news network began reporting a serious security incident on the Potomac river.The security establishment in Washington DC went into sudden overdrive on Friday morning after a major national news network began reporting a serious security incident on the Potomac river.
After a protracted period of confusion, US government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Pentagon and the FBI began saying that they had no reports of any shots fired.After a protracted period of confusion, US government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Pentagon and the FBI began saying that they had no reports of any shots fired.
Then, the US Coast Guard said that it had been conducting a training exercise on the Potomac. No shots had been fired, but a simulation might have involved the words "shots fired" being put over a radio network.Then, the US Coast Guard said that it had been conducting a training exercise on the Potomac. No shots had been fired, but a simulation might have involved the words "shots fired" being put over a radio network.
In the hair-trigger atmosphere of Washington DC on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, it is perhaps not a surprise that any security incident garners immediate attention, but there will no doubt be uncomfortable questions as to why the Coast Guard chose that particular moment to conduct an exercise.In the hair-trigger atmosphere of Washington DC on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, it is perhaps not a surprise that any security incident garners immediate attention, but there will no doubt be uncomfortable questions as to why the Coast Guard chose that particular moment to conduct an exercise.
Nearly 3,000 people died when the four planes crashed in New York, at the Pentagon and in a Pennsylvania field.Nearly 3,000 people died when the four planes crashed in New York, at the Pentagon and in a Pennsylvania field.
Speaking at the Pentagon on his first 9/11 anniversary as US president, Barack Obama paid tribute to the victims.Speaking at the Pentagon on his first 9/11 anniversary as US president, Barack Obama paid tribute to the victims.
He said the years would not diminish the loss of that day, and vowed to pursue al-Qaeda.He said the years would not diminish the loss of that day, and vowed to pursue al-Qaeda.
"In the defence of our nation we will never waver," he said. "In pursuit of al-Qaeda we will never falter."In the defence of our nation we will never waver," he said. "In pursuit of al-Qaeda we will never falter.
Accompanied by Defence Secretary Robert Gates, he met members of victims' families and laid a wreath.Accompanied by Defence Secretary Robert Gates, he met members of victims' families and laid a wreath.
Meanwhile, thousands gathered for ceremonies in a square near New York's Ground Zero.Meanwhile, thousands gathered for ceremonies in a square near New York's Ground Zero.
Vice-President Joe Biden attended the New York ceremony, where planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers, causing them to collapse.Vice-President Joe Biden attended the New York ceremony, where planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers, causing them to collapse.
Ground zero is still a building site eight years after the attacksEnlarge ImageGround zero is still a building site eight years after the attacksEnlarge Image
Volunteers who helped in the aftermath of the attacks joined family members in reading the more than 2,700 names of the victims.Volunteers who helped in the aftermath of the attacks joined family members in reading the more than 2,700 names of the victims.
The BBC's Matthew Price in New York says the Ground Zero area remains a building site, despite plans for a memorial, a museum and five new skyscrapers.The BBC's Matthew Price in New York says the Ground Zero area remains a building site, despite plans for a memorial, a museum and five new skyscrapers.
Delays caused by political arguments and financial and legal disputes have left huge question marks over the entire project, he says.Delays caused by political arguments and financial and legal disputes have left huge question marks over the entire project, he says.
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell was due to speak at the site of the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.Former Secretary of State Colin Powell was due to speak at the site of the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
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Memorial held at Ground ZeroMemorial held at Ground Zero
Americans have also been encouraged to contribute to a national day of community service.Americans have also been encouraged to contribute to a national day of community service.
Conservation projects, aid packages for serving soldiers and the simple offering of work for free are among the undertakings made by members of the public.Conservation projects, aid packages for serving soldiers and the simple offering of work for free are among the undertakings made by members of the public.