31 construction workers rescued unharmed after LA tunnel collapse

The Los Angeles Fire Department was called out on 9 July at nearly 8pm in the evening to assist the workers at the Los Angeles Effluent Outfall Tunnel Project near 1701 Figueroa Street in Wilmington.

More than 100 first responders from across the city attended the scene.

There were early reports that as many as 15 workers were trapped at least five miles into the 18-foot-diameter tunnel. But as construction officials polled and tallied their workers, it was determined that more than 30 people had been working along the nearly six-mile length of the tunnel when the incident occurred.

Several remained on the “safe” side of what turned out to be a partial rather than full tunnel collapse, which created a 12-to-15-foot tall pile of loose soil and debris.

The uninjured workers were able to scramble to safety one at a time across the pile of earth before LAFD rescuers arrived. They were then ferried more than five miles in a tunnel transport vehicle to the access portal.

In a statement, LAFD said, “A total of 31 uninjured workers from throughout the tunnel system were brought to safely by their colleagues. None of the men had visible injury or medical complaint. Following an on-scene examination by LAFD Paramedics, they were all released at the scene.”

FlatironDragados is the main contractor on the $630.5 million Los Angeles Effluent Outfall Tunnel project for the Los Angeles County Sanitation department. Completion is due for 2027. 

In a statement, the company said, “FlatironDragados wants to thank the teams of Los Angeles first responders for their fast and comprehensive response to this incident. We also want to recognize the professionalism of our highly skilled employees who knew exactly what to do in this situation. Fortunately, the workers involved made their way out of the tunnel safely and uninjured. Emergency preparedness is essential on all of our construction projects. Work at the project has been suspended while we investigate this incident.”