Miracle! All 31 workers rescued in Los Angeles tunnel collapse
Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva praised their courage, saying that the workers made it through the most treacherous part themselves before rescue teams drove them to safety via tunnel vehicles. Aerial footage showed workers being hoisted in yellow cages as families wept with relief below. Remarkably, no one suffered major injuries despite the terrifying cave-in.
Arally Orozco was at church when her son texted that the tunnel housing her three brothers had collapsed. 'It was sad and scary. We feared the worst,' she shared. After an agonizing hour, her brother called crying: 'He told me he thought he was going to die underground' after squeezing through tight spaces to escape.
At the scene, Mayor Karen Bass embraced rescued workers, calling the outcome 'a victory' after racing there expecting tragedy.
Supervisor Janice Hahn noted the workers were 'shaken up' but relieved, immediately calling loved ones upon surfacing. The sanitation district's $700 million project, critical for replacing earthquake-vulnerable wastewater tunnels, is now paused indefinitely.
The 18-foot-wide tunnel, part of LA's Clearwater Project, stretches beneath Wilmington's industrial zone near oil refineries. Engineers confirm the 400-foot depth near the shoreline created 'very wet conditions,' demanding specialized designs for water pressure.
The new tunnel aims to replace 60- and 80-year-old wastewater pipes at risk of earthquakes, serving over five million residents. Water pressure risks: Coastal depth added complexity, requiring designs for both soil and water pressure
"Squeezing ground" failure: Soil instability caused the collapse near the boring machine
Months-long probe: Investigators must first stabilize the tunnel before finding 'the first element that broke", as per reports.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
10-07-2025
- Mint
Miracle! All 31 workers rescued in Los Angeles tunnel collapse
Thirty-one construction workers miraculously escaped a collapsed tunnel in Los Angeles Wednesday night after climbing over a 12-foot mountain of debris. Trapped 400 feet underground and six miles from the only exit, the men scrambled through loose soil caused by 'squeezing ground', a dangerous soil deformation that partially collapsed a newly built section. Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva praised their courage, saying that the workers made it through the most treacherous part themselves before rescue teams drove them to safety via tunnel vehicles. Aerial footage showed workers being hoisted in yellow cages as families wept with relief below. Remarkably, no one suffered major injuries despite the terrifying cave-in. Arally Orozco was at church when her son texted that the tunnel housing her three brothers had collapsed. 'It was sad and scary. We feared the worst,' she shared. After an agonizing hour, her brother called crying: 'He told me he thought he was going to die underground' after squeezing through tight spaces to escape. At the scene, Mayor Karen Bass embraced rescued workers, calling the outcome 'a victory' after racing there expecting tragedy. Supervisor Janice Hahn noted the workers were 'shaken up' but relieved, immediately calling loved ones upon surfacing. The sanitation district's $700 million project, critical for replacing earthquake-vulnerable wastewater tunnels, is now paused indefinitely. The 18-foot-wide tunnel, part of LA's Clearwater Project, stretches beneath Wilmington's industrial zone near oil refineries. Engineers confirm the 400-foot depth near the shoreline created 'very wet conditions,' demanding specialized designs for water pressure. The new tunnel aims to replace 60- and 80-year-old wastewater pipes at risk of earthquakes, serving over five million residents. Water pressure risks: Coastal depth added complexity, requiring designs for both soil and water pressure "Squeezing ground" failure: Soil instability caused the collapse near the boring machine Months-long probe: Investigators must first stabilize the tunnel before finding 'the first element that broke", as per reports.
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Los Angeles tunnel collapse: What happened in Wilmington, California? Latest details
On Wednesday, thirty-one workers were rescued following the collapse of one industrial tunnel in Wilmington, said the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) firefighters are seen at the site of an industrial tunnel collapse in the Wilmington neighborhood of Los Angeles on July 9, 2025. 31 workers were safely removed from the tunnel without visible injuries, the LAFD said on July 9. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)(AFP) The LAFD mobilized a major emergency operation, sending more than 100 responders, including all of its elite Urban Search and Rescue teams, to the site on the 1700 block of South Figueroa Street. The collapse took place deep within the Los Angeles Effluent Outfall Tunnel, which is currently under construction as part of the $630.5 million Clearwater Project. ALSO READ| Pasadena car chase: LAPD involved in two dramatic crashes; Mercedes G-Wagon stolen - Video 31 workers rescued from Los Angeles tunnel collapse L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn assured that every worker was brought to safety, and there were no visible injuries among the 31 workers. The workers had to scale a heap of soil approximately 12-15 feet high so that they could scurry out of the tunnel's collapsing part. 'I just spoke with many of the workers who were trapped,' Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass shared 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 City of Los Angeles has mobilized resources to the tunnel collapse in Wilmington. 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,' Bass said in another post. The accident took place almost 6 miles into the tunnel, making rescue very difficult. This was the only source of entry miles away in the collapse point, miles underground, at about 450 feet beneath the ground. Flatiron Dragados is building a 7-mile-long and 18-foot-wide tunnel as part of L.A. County's work to modernise the old wastewater system. The Clearwater Project will replace the tunnels that were constructed in 1937 and 1958 and have been in use. ALSO READ| Wilmington tunnel collapse update: At least 31 workers rescued in Los Angeles The L.A. County Sanitation District documents from July 2024 noted the work on the tunnel was to be completed by April 2025, and the entire project completion was estimated by 2027. The new tunnel was to open up by January 2028.y January 2028.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Time of India
Los Angeles tunnel collapse traps 31 workers, all rescued by firefighters
Emergency crews rushed to Wilmington on Wednesday evening after part of an underground tunnel collapsed and trapped 31 construction workers. The incident took place at the site of the Los Angeles Effluent Outfall Tunnel, which is part of the county's Clearwater Project. Everyone safe after tense rescue According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), the trapped workers managed to climb over a 12 to 15-foot pile of dirt to escape. Thankfully, none of the 31 workers were hurt during the collapse. It took about an hour to bring everyone to safety. A TUNNEL has collapsed in Los Angela's trapping around 20 peopleThis is the Dragados Mining and Boring Co A major collapse has occurred with between 18-28 workers attempting to be rescued by LAFD#Wilmington #California Mayor Karen Bass praised the firefighters on X, writing, 'Thank you to all of our brave first responders who acted immediately. You are L.A.'s true heroes.' County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who represents the area, confirmed the rescue shortly after the incident. Massive emergency response Over 100 responders were deployed, including all of LAFD's Urban Search and Rescue teams. The collapse reportedly happened nearly six miles inside the tunnel, far from its only access point on South Figueroa Street. Firefighters had to coordinate efforts deep underground to reach and guide workers back to safety. Tunnel part of $630 million project The tunnel collapse happened at the $630.5 million Clearwater Project, a major public works plan led by the Los Angeles County Sanitation District. Flatiron Dragados, the lead contractor, said the tunnel is around 7 miles long, 18 feet wide, and runs 450 feet below the surface. The tunnel is being built to replace older wastewater pipelines built in 1937 and 1958. Officials had expected to finish tunneling by April 2025 and activate the new tunnel by January 2028. Authorities are now looking into what caused the collapse.
