World Trade Centre victims tried to dig themselves out

Victims buried alive beneath the World Trade Centre tried to dig themselves out of the rubble with their fingernails, say rescue workers.

Ground Zero workers are finding more bodies after reaching the ruins of the concourse and shopping mall beneath the Twin Towers.

And they've also found signs of survival, such as half-eaten muffins and full coffee mugs.

The Sun says a Ground Zero worker, named only as Vito, believes many of the victims may have suffered.

"We are finding bodies of people who were trying to survive," he said. "You could tell they were suffering. They were digging through the debris with their fingers."

The remains of 10 firemen and three civilians have been recovered, but they have not yet been named.

Firefighters have been told not to leave their stations during working hours to find colleagues because they are undermanned.

Firefighters Association spokesman Tom Da Palma said: "It's important for them to bring their brothers home.

"While everyone was celebrating New Year, they were searching."