31 Workers Rescued After L.A. Tunnel Collapse

Los Angeles, CA — Dozens of construction workers were rescued Wednesday night after a tunnel collapse in Wilmington trapped them underground.

The Los Angeles Fire Department dispatched more than 100 responders, including all Urban Search and Rescue teams, to the site on the 1700 block of South Figueroa Street.

According to L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn, all 31 workers were freed about an hour after the collapse. LAFD officials confirmed none of the trapped workers had visible injuries. Firefighters said the workers had to climb over a 12 to 15-foot mound of dirt to reach safety.

“I just spoke with many of the workers who were trapped,” said Mayor Karen Bass in a post on X. “Thank you to all of our brave first responders who acted immediately. You are L.A.'s true heroes.”

The incident occurred during construction on the $630.5 million Los Angeles Effluent Outfall Tunnel, part of the L.A. County Sanitation District’s Clearwater Project.

“The City of Los Angeles has mobilized resources to the tunnel collapse in Wilmington,” Bass added in a separate X post. “More than 100 LAFD responders have been deployed, including Urban Search and Rescue teams. Thank you to all of those who are acting immediately to respond to this emergency.”

The prime contractor, Flatiron Dragados, states the tunnel extends seven miles, measures about 18 feet wide, and sits roughly 450 feet underground. The new tunnel will replace aging wastewater tunnels built in 1937 and 1958.

Tunneling work was originally scheduled for completion by April 2025, with the new system expected to go live by January 2028.

Safety Protocols Under Review

While no injuries were reported, the collapse raises questions about safety protocols on large-scale infrastructure projects under dense urban areas. Officials with the L.A. County Sanitation District and Flatiron Dragados have pledged to review construction practices and reinforce safety measures to prevent similar incidents as the Clearwater Project progresses.

Community Impact

The tunnel is part of a critical upgrade to Los Angeles’ wastewater system, designed to protect local waterways and support the region’s population growth. Wilmington residents and local leaders have voiced relief that the collapse ended without tragedy, but some are now calling for increased oversight.

Next Steps

Authorities are expected to inspect the tunnel site thoroughly and evaluate structural integrity before crews resume work. Updates on the project’s timeline are anticipated in the coming weeks.

Originally reported by Matthew Rodriguez in CBS News.