The number of Hong Kong people visiting CNN's Web site surged 19-fold in the 12 hours after the attacks.
Nielsen//NetRatings said there was a 1,900 per cent increase in Hong Kong Internet users logging on to CNN.com in the 12 hours after the first attack on the World Trade Centre, compared to the daily average number of visits during August. On average, those surfing the Internet spent six times longer there than usual.
The company said the Hong Kong figures were significantly higher than other Asian countries.
In Taiwan and Singapore, 445 per cent and 953 per cent more people logged on to CNN.com respectively in the 12 hours immediately after the attack.
Managing director Hugh Bloch said the Internet had risen as a major medium for news. 'It's clear the Internet has really come into its own,' he said.