The vast majority of the 1,100 employees of AON Corp., the parent company of the AON companies in Bermuda, have been accounted for, the company said last night.

Fear for the employees grew on Tuesday as it was discovered that they occupied five of the upper floors in the World Trade Center.

But the fate of Bermudian Rhondell Tankard, 31, worked at the company's Bermuda subsidiary, AON Reinsurance, and was on secondment for four weeks, is still not known. She started work on Monday in the World Trade sCentre and is believed to have been working on one of the top floors.

"I can confirm that the vast majority of our employees have been reported safe as of this afternoon," said AON spokesman Stephen Ban. "We have also been able to contact all of our employees travelling to our head office."

When asked about Ms Tankard, he said he did not have specific information on individuals.

He said relatives could phone the employee hotline on 866-256-4154. AON, which is a holding company for a group of insurance brokerage, consulting and insurance underwriting subsidiaries, appealed for all of its employees based in New York or visiting New York call the hotline number. It said AON employees outside New York should call 866 9464357 for updates. Counselling Hotline is 800 438 6487.

AON, which has about 50,000 employees world-wide, said its New York City offices would remain closed until further notice. It said all other offices, including Bermuda, were to re-open yesterday.

AON also said it is in contact with authorities and has begun to contact all New York-based staff.

The company also said it had initiated disaster recovery plans and will provide information on alternative locations for operations as it becomes available. AON chairman Patrick Ryan said: "Our primary focus continues to be on our employees and their families. We will provide whatever assistance we can to help them through this difficult period.

"We also want our clients to know that we realise that they need AON's assistance most in times of tragedy. Therefore, unless government officials direct otherwise, all AON's global offices except those in New York City will be open from Wednesday. All of AON's New York offices will be closed until further notice. We are encouraging our employees outside of New York City to use their judgment in deciding when to return to their offices."