Los Angeles Fire Department Rescues 31 Workers After Tunnel Collapse in Wilmington
In a dramatic overnight operation, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) successfully rescued 31 construction workers who were trapped deep underground following a partial collapse of a tunnel in the Wilmington neighborhood of Los Angeles.
The incident occurred around 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening while crews were working on an 18-foot-diameter tunnel that is part of the $630.5 million Clearwater Project—an ambitious initiative to upgrade L.A. County’s aging wastewater infrastructure.
The collapsed section was approximately five to six miles from the tunnel’s only entrance, which significantly complicated rescue efforts.
According to emergency officials, a large mound of loose soil—estimated at 12 to 15 feet high—suddenly collapsed inside the tunnel, obstructing the workers’ exit. Despite the danger and the distance from the surface, the workers quickly assessed the situation, climbed over the debris pile, and rejoined other team members on the far side of the obstruction. From there, they boarded a tunnel shuttle and traveled more than five miles to the entry shaft, where they were hoisted one by one to safety using crane-supported lifts.
The LAFD deployed over 100 personnel to the scene, including members of its Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) unit. Interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva described the rescue as a fortunate outcome, stating, “Tonight, we were lucky. It could have been much worse.”
All 31 workers were safely extracted from the tunnel, with no fatalities or serious injuries reported.
However, 27 individuals received minor medical evaluations on-site, primarily for fatigue, stress, and dehydration.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who visited the site during the rescue operation, praised both the first responders and the workers for their resilience.
“These men are true heroes,” she said. “They kept calm, worked together, and ensured that every one of them made it out alive. I also commend the LAFD for their exceptional speed and coordination under pressure.”
The Clearwater Project, overseen by the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, was originally set for completion in April 2025, but delays had pushed the anticipated finish date to January 2028. The tunnel, which runs beneath the city and coastal areas, is meant to serve as a replacement line for sewage and stormwater systems dating back to the 1930s and 1950s.
Following the collapse, all construction work on the tunnel has been suspended pending a thorough safety inspection and engineering assessment. Investigators will now seek to determine the exact cause of the soil collapse, examine potential structural vulnerabilities, and recommend whether additional safety measures are necessary before work can resume.
The incident has sparked renewed concern over the risks of underground infrastructure projects, especially in densely populated urban areas. Experts have long cautioned that tunnel construction must adhere to the highest safety standards due to the complexity of subterranean engineering and the difficulty of emergency access in the event of accidents.
While authorities continue their investigation, officials have assured the public that no environmental hazards, such as sewage leaks or gas exposure, were triggered by the collapse.
For the 31 workers rescued, the night ended in relief and gratitude. “It was terrifying, but we knew what to do,” one of the workers said anonymously. “We train for this kind of thing. I’m just glad everyone is okay.”
The successful rescue effort stands as a testament to the preparedness and coordination of Los Angeles’s emergency services, as well as the courage and quick thinking of the workers trapped underground.
