Construction chaos averted as LAFD rescues every trapped worker from $630 million tunnel site—no fatalities reported
It could have been a nightmare. But thanks to swift action by first responders, a full-blown disaster was averted on Wednesday night in Wilmington, a working-class neighborhood just south of downtown Los Angeles. A tunnel under construction suddenly gave way, trapping dozens of workers underground. All 31 were eventually pulled to safety.
The incident has cast fresh attention on a massive public infrastructure project—one that had largely remained under the radar until now.
Tunnel Collapse Stuns Locals, Draws Swift Emergency Response
The collapse happened just after 8 p.m., during a shift change at the $630.5 million Los Angeles Effluent Outfall Tunnel project. Crews had been boring through the earth when part of the tunnel caved in without warning.
People nearby reported strange vibrations. Then sirens.
According to Los Angeles Fire Department officials, over 100 personnel were dispatched to the site, including elite Urban Search and Rescue teams trained for complex underground emergencies.
Mayor Karen Bass was quick to respond on social media, saying the city had “mobilized all available resources” to handle the situation. She also thanked responders who “acted immediately” and helped “avert a major loss of life.”
Rescues Carried Out in Batches, Crane Key to Efforts
By 9 p.m., it was clear the workers were alive. Some had access to air pockets. Others were deeper in, caked in dust and shaken but alert.
One by one, or rather eight by eight, they were lifted out using a giant crane on-site. The last of the trapped men surfaced just before midnight.
-
No injuries were reported, according to LAFD.
-
The workers were evaluated on-site by paramedics.
-
Psychological support teams were called in for follow-up.
The crane, already part of the construction operation, turned out to be a critical lifesaver.
What Is the Effluent Outfall Tunnel Project?
The Wilmington tunnel site is part of a long-delayed but critically important sewer infrastructure overhaul. Officially called the “Los Angeles Effluent Outfall Tunnel,” it’s a 7-mile conduit being built to replace an aging wastewater line stretching toward the Pacific Ocean.
Here’s what we know about the project so far:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Budget | $630.5 million |
| Overseen By | Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts |
| Primary Contractor | Not yet disclosed by officials |
| Purpose | Divert and transport treated wastewater |
| Project Timeline | 2022–2027 (estimated completion) |
The project has faced delays due to environmental reviews, protests over marine life risks, and inflation-related cost hikes.
Investigators Eye Safety Protocols, Possible Violations
Even with no reported injuries, the incident has prompted a closer look at construction safety protocols. OSHA officials have launched an inquiry.
Union reps were also quick to weigh in. “We dodged a bullet,” one labor organizer said bluntly. “It’s pure luck this didn’t end in tragedy.”
Concerns have been raised in the past about California’s aging construction safety systems. Some of those fears were reflected in a state audit last year that cited “outdated enforcement mechanisms” in several counties, including Los Angeles.
Officials say it’s too early to pin blame but emphasized that a “full review” is underway.
Workers, Shaken but Safe, Hailed as Heroes
After the last worker was pulled to safety, cheers broke out among fire crews. Some workers were wrapped in blankets, others embraced their families. The relief was palpable.
One survivor told a local reporter: “We just kept telling each other, stay calm. Help is coming.” He had been trapped for over two hours with three coworkers in near-total darkness.
Another said he thought of his daughter the whole time. “I wasn’t going to die in a hole,” he muttered, tears streaking the dust on his face.
Small moments of humanity—and a bit of grit—shone through the dust and debris.
What Comes Next for the Tunnel Project?
The site has been shut down indefinitely while investigators assess the structural stability. The county sanitation board issued a brief statement confirming a review of all work permits and daily logs leading up to the collapse.
Environmental groups are now renewing calls for greater transparency around the project. Meanwhile, labor unions are demanding a third-party safety audit before any more digging resumes.
Nobody’s quite sure when work will restart. But one thing’s for certain—Wednesday night’s collapse has changed the way this tunnel will be remembered.
For now, residents are just thankful the story didn’t end differently.
