US marks 21st anniversary of September 11 terror attacks

First responders salute in a driving rain as a US flag is unfurled at the Pentagon in Washington (Andrew Harnik/AP)

Americans have remembered 9/11 with readings of victims’ names, volunteer work and other tributes 21 years after the deadliest terror attack on US soil.

A tolling bell and moment of silence began the commemoration at ground zero in New York, where the World Trade Centre’s twin towers were destroyed by hijacked-plane attacks on September 11 2001.