NEVER seen before: Inside the White House bunker on 9/11

The United States National Archives has released never-before-seen photographs taken in the White House the day terrorists flew planes into the World Trade Centre that show how Dick Cheney and George Bush reacted as the horror unfolded.

Former US president George Bush is pictured with former Vice President Dick Cheney and senior staff in the President's Emergency Operations Center in Washington in the hours following the September 11, 2001 attacks. All photographs: US National Archives/Reuters

Former secretary of state Colin Powell is pictured in the President's Emergency Operations Center in Washington in the hours following the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Former vice president Dick Cheney is pictured with former national security advisor Condoleezza Rice and senior staff in the President's Emergency Operations Center in Washington in the hours following the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Former US vice president Dick Cheney is pictured with Lynne Cheney aboard Marine Two in the hours following the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Former president George Bush is pictured with Cheney and Rice (right) in the President's Emergency Operations Center in Washington in the hours following the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Cheney is pictured with senior staff in the President's Emergency Operations Center in Washington in the hours following the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Rice and Powell in the President's Emergency Operations Center in Washington in the hours following the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Cheney watches television reports in Washington in the hours following the September 11, 2001 attacks.