LARRY CELONA, DAVID SEIFMAN and RITA DELFINER
NY Post Online
AP Photo
RETRIEVED FROM THE RUINS: Firefighters carry the flag-draped bodies of two victims - among 18 bodies found yesterday - from the rubble of the World Trade Center.
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October 2, 2001 -- Searchers recovered 18 bodies yesterday in the latest heart-wrenching discoveries at ground zero.
Fourteen firefighters - at least a dozen in full gear - were among those found in the rubble of the World Trade Center.
The bodies of 12 of the Bravest, wearing coats and bunker pants, and those of two Port Authority civilian workers and another civilian were found under a stairway in the north tower ruins, a source told The Post.
"The bodies were whole but badly smashed," the source said. All the victims were men.
Later yesterday, two more firefighters were recovered, a source said. It was not known where they were found.
A police officer's body was found late last night, said another source, who did not provide details.
Fire Department Chaplain Alfred Thompson said more bodies have been recovered in the last 21/2 days than in the previous 10, now that major sections of rubble have been removed.
More bodies could be found when workers enter the wreckage of the Marriott World Trade Center, where it is believed many firefighters sought shelter, said Jeffrey Vinicola, a security supervisor for several construction firms.
FDNY spokesman David Billig said, "It makes sense that, as we get deeper and deeper through the rubble, we are going to find more bodies."
As of yesterday, city officials said 5,219 people are listed as missing in the Sept. 11 kamikaze terrorist attacks. There are 344 confirmed dead, of whom 289 have been identified.
Meanwhile, the city has opened a second assistance center - a one-stop benefit station for people who lost jobs or homes due to the disaster. It is located at 141 Worth St.
With so much money pouring in to help the families of those missing, Deputy Mayor Joseph Lhota yesterday said City Hall is asking all charities to coordinate with the city's Twin Towers Fund.
Last week, state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said he wanted to coordinate charity efforts with a computer database that would track how much help goes to each victim.
Some charities, including the Red Cross, balked at Spitzer's plan, saying it threatens the privacy of those who get aid. The Red Cross has committed $100 million to help families of attack victims.
At the Family Assistance Center at Pier 94, about 30 specially trained therapy dogs are helping comfort grieving people.
"Mission Smile" was the brainchild of Vietnam vet Mario Canzoneri, a dog handler with two licensed therapy golden retrievers.
"Having someone come along with a dog at a time like this makes you feel thankful," said Leila Negron, 34. Her husband Pete, a Port Authority employee, is missing.
Meanwhile, 108 members of Congress yesterday toured the ruins.
House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) said at ground zero he is not sure if the $20 billion Congress committed to the city's recovery is enough.
In Albany, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said in a new report that the attacks affected a staggering half a million private-sector jobs, or 7.3 percent of the state total.
With reporting by Maria Malave, Kenneth Lovett and Dan Kadison
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