Police sift a million tons of rubble for WTC victims

Police sifting through debris of the World Trade Centre have found 3,000 body fragments which are being used to identify victims.

They have also found about 250 watches, necklaces, bracelets and other items of jewellery.

A million tonnes of debris is being examined at a massive landfill site called Fresh Kills in New York.

Hundreds of police officers and FBI agents are looking through the wreckage for human remains and clues it has been reported.

"It's a very sacred place," Chief of Detectives William Allee said of the vast 175-acre site.

"It is not a garbage dump. It is a closed landfill, and it is a special place. We're doing God's work, and I feel it is an honour to be here."

Big metal scrap is removed at the dock, and the remaining debris is taken by trucks to "sorters" that separate the items by size.

"Some of the watches are still ticking," said Deputy Inspector James Luongo.

Officials hope to return them to the victims' relatives by checking for initials, engravings and descriptions supplied by family members.

Every day, about 300 people work at the site, which is closed only from 1am to 5am. Many retired detectives show up, eager to do what they can.