31 Workers Rescued After LA Tunnel Collapse During Clearwater Project

Tunnel Collapse and Rescue Operation

• ⚠️ A tunnel collapse occurred in Wilmington, Los Angeles, trapping 31 workers.
• 🏗️ The incident happened at a construction site for the LA County Sanitation Districts' Clearwater Project, a multi-year endeavor.
• 🚇 Workers were approximately 400 feet underground, using a boring machine when debris began to crumble, blocking their exit.

Rescue Efforts and Conditions

• 🚒 Over 100 personnel from the LA Fire Department responded to the emergency.
• 🚁 A cage hoisted by a crane was used to lift the workers up in groups.
• 📏 The tunnel is 18 feet in diameter, and workers were able to climb over the fallen debris to reach their exit.
• 🚶 After climbing over the obstruction, workers had to walk or transit approximately 5 miles to exit the tunnel.

Outcome and Project Details

• ⏱️ The rescue operation began around 8:00 PM and concluded about an hour and a half later.
• ✅ No injuries were reported, and all rescued individuals were evaluated by paramedics.
• 👷 The workers involved are described as highly specialized, working on a complex engineering and construction project.