Tourism Minister David Allen praised the people of Bermuda last night for selflessly springing into action following the tragic terrorist attacks in the US - and warned that Bermudians could have been killed or injured in the disasters.

He spoke to The Royal Gazette at the Fairmont Southampton Princess Hotel, where passengers from five diverted flights were being provided for yesterday.

Mr. Allen said his heart went out to the people of America, especially those caught up in the tragedies, and said his thoughts and concerns were with those Bermudians working or staying in areas hit by the attacks.

But he thanked the many local people who had called the Ministry and the airport yesterday to offer accommodation to passengers diverted to Bermuda, as well as help to unload and move luggage.

He said: "What a tragic day. What the situation turned into in Bermuda was quite challenging. Bermuda became, and is right now, a major site for the diversion of flights . . . which puts a considerable challenge on us, but all of our resources lived up to it. Nine flights have been diverted to Bermuda, amounting to a total of about 1,500 passengers. We have had hundreds of phone calls from people offering to open up their homes to anyone who was stranded here.

"Residents have also been loading up luggage at the airport. Bermudians have literally been lugging luggage. The logistics of it all are enormous."

Mr. Allen, who was speaking to the remaining members of the Society of American Travel Writers, said America had been thrown into a state of trauma, but so too had Bermuda.

He said there were many families in Bermuda who had been concerned, or who were still concerned, about the safety of their loved ones.

"There is great concern that Bermudians were working in these buildings (under attack). There is great stress in many Bermudian homes because of this, and there is no way of getting through to them. I am concerned for my own staff. There are 25 Bermudians working in the tourist office in Manhattan.

"They are going to be housed in their office because no one can get home tonight. This has touched everybody. Dame Lois Browne-Evans' son works at the Pentagon building in the treasury and five stories collapsed there. Thankfully he is OK."

Mr. Allen said the tourism office on 42nd Street in Manhattan had been turned into a clearing house, where people can call and leave messages for loved ones.

He added: "I feel that everything at the airport went very smoothly and the people of Bermuda have really pulled together. I could not be prouder than I am of everyone today."

Mr. Allen said Cabinet members gathered with members of the Emergency Measures Organisation and Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith yesterday morning to plan Bermuda's response.

He said: "Our primary concern was to protect the airport and US interests because the US is the target. We are not aware that British interests are targeted.

"Special security was placed at the airport and around the US Consulate. The cruise ships are also going to have special security. There is no reason to think that something is going to happen, but we have to take precautions." The telephone number for the Bermuda tourist office in Manhattan is 1-880-223-6106.