Tunnel collapse traps 31 workers in LA, all rescued
31 construction workers rescued after tunnel collapses in Los Angeles' Wilmington area
On Wednesday, July 9, a section of a tunnel under construction in Wilmington, an industrial area of Los Angeles, collapsed unexpectedly, trapping 31 workers inside. The tunnel was being built as part of a wastewater infrastructure project and measured 18 feet wide.
The collapse occurred nearly 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) from the tunnel’s only entrance, which made the rescue operation more difficult and time-consuming.
All workers rescued safely
Despite the challenges, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) confirmed that all 31 workers were safely evacuated. The rescue was carried out quickly with the help of over 100 emergency responders, including confined space rescue experts.
LAFD teams worked for several hours to bring everyone to safety. Some workers were transported using tunnel vehicles, while others had to walk or climb through the collapsed area.
The collapse had created a large mound of loose soil, which blocked the path for many workers. Some of them, who were on the far side of the collapse, had to climb over a 12 to 15-foot-high pile of soil to reach their colleagues. After crossing the mound, they were taken out in small groups using tunnel transport vehicles.
Once rescued, 27 workers were checked by paramedics for possible injuries or health issues. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries reported. Medical staff remained on site as a precaution in case anyone showed delayed symptoms or signs of stress.
The tunnel where the collapse happened is part of a major public project to improve Los Angeles’ wastewater system. It is designed to carry wastewater safely underground as part of the city’s long-term infrastructure upgrade plans.
Construction was ongoing at the time of the accident, and no warning signs had been publicly reported before the collapse.
Over 100 emergency workers took part
The rescue involved a large response team of over 100 people, including firefighters, paramedics, engineers, and tunnel safety experts. The team also included confined space rescue specialists, who are trained to work in narrow, dangerous spaces like tunnels.
Their fast and professional response was key in ensuring that all the trapped workers were safely brought out without serious injuries.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass praised the rescue efforts in a message on X (formerly Twitter). She said the city had mobilized all necessary resources to support the rescue and ensure the workers' safety.
She added that her office would continue monitoring the situation and take all steps to prevent similar incidents in future projects.
One of the biggest challenges in this operation was the location of the collapse, which happened deep inside the tunnel, almost 10 kilometers from the entrance. This meant that emergency teams had to travel a long distance inside the tunnel to reach the workers.
Rescue operations in such conditions are risky, due to limited space, poor ventilation, and the possibility of further collapse.
City officials have stated that a full investigation will be launched to find out what caused the tunnel to collapse. Engineers will examine the site and construction procedures to determine if any safety rules were broken or equipment malfunctioned.
Until then, construction at the site has been paused, and workers will not return until the area is declared safe.
What could have been a major tragedy turned into a successful rescue story thanks to the quick and effective efforts of emergency workers. All 31 construction workers trapped in the collapsed tunnel in Wilmington were safely rescued without major injuries.
The city now looks to learn from the incident and improve construction safety and emergency preparedness for future infrastructure projects.
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