Some 343 first responders have now died of 9/11-related illnesses, equal to the number lost on the day of the terrorist attacks on New York City, the city's fire department has said.
The four coordinated terror attacks by al-Qaeda against the US involved hijacking and crashing passenger jets into both the World Trade Centre towers and the Pentagon. The fourth target, in Washington DC, was not hit due to a passenger revolt, although everyone on board died.
A total of 2,996 people were killed and more than 6,000 others were injured after the attacks on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001.
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Two recent deaths added to the overall toll of over 340 first responders who died of illnesses connected to working at the site of the devastation.
Hilda Vannata, 67, and Roberto Fulco both died this month.
Vannata died on 20 September from cancer, while Fulco, 73, a retired firefighter, died of pulmonary fibrosis on September 23.
Both illnesses were a "result of time they spent working in the rescue and recovery at the World Trade Center site," the New York City Fire Department said in a statement.
"With these deaths, we have reached a sombre, remarkable milestone," New York City Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said in a statement.
"Our hearts break for the families of these members, and all who loved them."
The BBC reported that the New York City Fire Department said 11,000 first responders suffer from 11 September-related diseases, including 3,500 with cancer.
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"So many of our members showed up for us that fateful day, and so many were lost," the department said in a statement.
"The legacy we create for them is one of honor, and one of promise."
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