Passengers stepping off planes diverted to Bermuda yesterday spoke of their anger, bewilderment and relief after learning of the terrorist attacks in the United States.

As US airspace was closed in the wake of four devastating suicide plane attacks, nine jets from Europe heading for the US were forced to land in Bermuda.

Passengers flying British Airways, Continental, American, Martin Air, Lufthansa, Al Italia and Delta from Lisbon, London, Madrid, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Milan, Barcelona, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Rome, disembarked at Bermuda International Airport in the early afternoon.

Although pilots gave some information prior to the hasty diversion to the Island, many passengers knew nothing about the atrocities until they landed.

Bill Varon, an American cruise line executive flying British Airways from London to Miami, told The Royal Gazette: "We heard that American air space was closed and we were diverting to Bermuda. When we landed we were told between two and five planes had been hijacked and two hit the World Trade Center.

"I'm depressed and angry. I'm an American, I'm from New York. I'm numbed, surprised, and like everyone else I feel damn well p****d off."

David Bee, a vice-president at Rolls Royce in England, said: "The pilot said we had a choice between Montreal and Bermuda and luckily he made the right choice. It is a pretty awful thing that has happened." British tennis star Tim Henman, who was on the same BA flight to Miami to prepare for a Davis Cup match in Ecuador, told The Royal Gazette: "They said there were problems in US airspace, but when we touched down we heard it was a lot more dramatic than that. You hear a lot of rumours but don't know what is true.

"It's terrible, it's just horrendous. This is my first trip to Bermuda," he added.

Pedro Correia, who was on the diverted Continental flight from Lisbon to Newark, New Jersey, said: "I feel bad because I have kids and family in New York."

Sheila Leydon, who was on the same flight, added: "It's not a problem for us, but I feel sorry for the people where it happened."

Jason Penfold, a US citizen on the American flight from Madrid to Miami, said: "It's so much safer being here than flying to the US. National security has to take priority."

Fellow passenger Manuel Naveira added: "I am surprised to be here but I've been treated nicely." American Eric Purne said: "It's inevitable with the situation in the US, but we can't really tell just now. The airline gave us food and kept us informed. For an improvised thing (arrival in Bermuda) this has been fast enough."

US citizen Julie Heller heard about the atrocity when she arrived in Bermuda. She said: "I am sure the US will retaliate. Don't think they are going to get away with this. I feel terrible for all these people. How many thousands have died? It's just unbelievable."

Her husband Larry said he was angry at first because passengers on the American flight from Madrid to Miami were only told four minutes before landing that they were going to Bermuda.

He said passengers were oblivious to the tragedy in the US until they touched down in Bermuda. "We were very upset at first because they didn't tell us we were landing," said Mr. Heller. The pilot said we were landing in four minutes and we were in the middle of the ocean wondering where we were going to land because we knew we were three hours away from Miami.

"It was only when we landed that we knew there had been a terrorist attack. With so many planes being hijacked, they must have not wanted any potential hijackers to know we were landing."

One American passenger, who did not give his name said: "It sucks. The country has gone to the wall."

Ellen Weingold of Arkansas, who was on the diverted Delta Rome to Atlanta flight, said: "It's better being here than on one of the planes that went down. It is very shocking and none of us has had much information since getting off the plane.

"We are looking forward to watching CNN and finding out what's going on. The airline staff have been very good and we are glad that Bermuda has taken us. We feel lucky that that we were not on one of the planes," said Denise Briere, of Colorado, who was on the Atlanta-bound flight.

Jorge Paiva and his family of five, were on the Continental flight from Lisbon to Newark, New Jersey, disembarked into the airport looking confused, but calm.

Hugging his daughter, he told The Royal Gazette: "We were on our way home to San Francisco - we don't know what happened. We know something went wrong and we know it happened in New York."

Another Portuguese man who disembarked the same flight added: "I am feeling okay," he said. "The pilot said something over the radio and the people were scared. He then explained that we were landing in Bermuda."

While most of the nine diverted flights were from Europe, there were a significant number of Americans onboard.

And some said they were briefed about the terrorist acts in the US before disembarking. Florida resident Rick Wolochatiuk, on an American Airlines flight from Madrid to Miami said: "It's terrible. I'm very interested to see what we will do. It ought to be lethal, swift retribution." Miami resident Roderick Smith who was also on the AA flight from Madrid said about the ordeal: "I've always wanted to come to Bermuda, but not under these circumstances. I heard about the Trade Center, but we didn't know anything was going on until we hit here - then we got the word. We felt the plane descending and we knew we were not in Miami. I think that the first thing I want to do is try and contact my family (in Miami) to let them know that I am all right."