Thousands of small drones illuminate New York’s skyline and harbor, forming a tribute that recreates the Twin Towers ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. In multiple reports, the display uses 2,977 drones, which appear arranged to spell out the towers’ outline during the show.
Several outlets say the number of drones corresponds to the number of people who died in the attacks. BBC News, The Mirror, and others describe the symbolism as each drone representing a victim. ABC News US notes that the drone tribute is connected to how the event came together and references David Muir’s sharing of the show.
Other coverage focuses more on the visual moment itself. The Age and Al Jazeera describe the recreation of the towers, while Times of India and The New York Post highlight the scale and atmosphere of the light display. Euronews reports the event includes a test element and frames it as part of preparations for the 25th anniversary observances in 2026. Overall, accounts agree on the central concept: a drone formation of the Twin Towers using 2,977 lights for remembrance.
