A Shift Change Saved His Life During the September 11 Attacks

Sekou Siby, a cook at the Windows on the World restaurant located in the North Tower of the World Trade Center, managed to survive the attacks of September 11, 2001, thanks to a shift change he made with a colleague.

The Restaurant in the North Tower

On September 11, 2001, Sekou Siby was working at the famous Windows on the World restaurant, which had opened in 1976 and was located in the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York.

Siby worked as a cook supervising the breakfast cold food station in this restaurant, situated on the 107th floor of the building.

The Life-Saving Shift Change

Siby, who was supposed to be on duty that morning, was at home with his pregnant wife because days before the incident, he had swapped his shift with a young musician and colleague named Moises Rivas.

Since Rivas wanted to take Sunday off, Siby had agreed to work in his place, and when Tuesday arrived, Rivas took over his shift.

News of Danger and the Collapse of the Towers

While Siby was sleeping at home, he received a panicked call from the wife of his colleague Abdoul Karim, informing him that the building was on fire.

Turning on the television and seeing the smoke and flames rising from the North Tower, Siby immediately called the restaurant, but the phones went unanswered, and shortly after, the tower collapsed.

Massive Loss and a Newborn Baby

More than 2,700 people lost their lives at the World Trade Center, including Rivas and 79 coworkers at Windows on the World.

Following this dark period, Siby's daughter was born on October 3, 2001, bringing a brief moment of happiness to his family.