All construction workers rescued after tunnel collapse in Los Angeles
- The Los Angeles Fire Department mobilized over 100 responders to a tunnel collapse in Wilmington, rescuing trapped workers.
- The incident involved 31 construction workers who were trapped inside an industrial tunnel after part of it collapsed.
- All workers were safely rescued within an hour, and none sustained injuries during the incident.
In the United States, a significant incident occurred recently when part of an industrial tunnel under construction collapsed in Los Angeles, trapping 31 workers inside. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) received the emergency call and responded promptly to the scene in Wilmington, where the tunnel collapse had taken place approximately 5 to 6 miles from its only entrance. Firefighters quickly mobilized more than 100 responders and dispatched Urban Search and Rescue teams to assist in the operation. Within an hour of the collapse, all workers were reported to have been safely rescued and accounted for. The workers managed to climb over a large mound of loose soil that resulted from the collapse, which stood approximately 12 to 15 feet high. They navigated their way through the debris in order to reach a safer location where they could be picked up by a tunnel vehicle. After the rescue, paramedics examined 27 of the workers for any potential injuries, but reports indicated that none of the workers sustained serious harm during the incident. The tunnel in question is part of the Los Angeles Effluent Outfall Tunnel, a major project accompanied by significant funding of approximately $630.5 million. The construction is part of the Clearwater Project led by the Los Angeles County Sanitation District aimed at addressing aging wastewater management infrastructure. Crews were working on this crucial project, which involves creating a tunnel that is both 7 miles long and 18 feet wide, situated around 450 feet underground. It serves to facilitate essential repairs to older tunnels that have been in place since the late 1930s and mid-1950s. Given the scale of the construction and the inherent risks, preparations were being made to complete the tunneling phase of the project by April 2025. The broader timeline foresaw project completion by 2027 and projected activation of the new tunnel by January 2028. Mayor Karen Bass expressed gratitude towards the first responders who acted quickly during the emergency, acknowledging their efforts to ensure the safety of the workers trapped below ground.