A portion of a large industrial tunnel under construction in Los Angeles collapsed, trapping 31 workers approximately 400 feet underground. The incident occurred about 5 to 6 miles from the tunnel’s sole entrance in the Wilmington area. The workers, employed on a nearly $700 million project led by the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, were constructing a 7-mile-long, 18-foot-wide tunnel designed to transport treated wastewater to the Pacific Ocean.
Despite the collapse, all workers managed to reach safety without major injuries. They navigated over a 12 to 15-foot mound of loose soil to reach the tunnel boring machine, from where they were evacuated via crane. Aerial footage captured workers being hoisted out of the tunnel in a yellow cage. Paramedics evaluated 27 of the workers at the scene, but no serious injuries were reported.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass praised the workers’ calm response and the efforts of first responders. She stated, “I know when we raced down here I was so concerned that we were going to find tragedy. Instead, what we found was victory.” City Councilmember Tim McOsker also commended the workers for their composure, noting, “This is a highly technical, difficult project. And they knew exactly what to do. They knew how to secure themselves.”
The collapse occurred between the tunnel boring machine, situated 5 miles from the entrance, and the workers who were 6 miles in. The nearly $700 million project, led by the Los Angeles County Sanitation … involves constructing a 7-mile-long, 18-foot-wide tunnel to transport treated wastewater to the Pacific Ocean. Investigations into the cause of the collapse are underway, and work will remain halted until the site is deemed safe by the contractor.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded swiftly, deploying over 100 personnel, including Urban Search and Rescue teams trained for confined-space rescues. The workers were shuttled several at a time by tunnel vehicle to the opening. The tunnel is under construction to eventually carry wastewater and is 18 feet wide. The LAFD’s rapid and effective response was instrumental in ensuring the workers’ safe evacuation.
The incident highlights the inherent risks associated with large-scale infrastructure projects. The tunnel is being constructed almost … and is designed to carry treated wastewater from across. .
The successful rescue operation underscores the importance of preparedness and coordination among emergency response teams in handling complex situations. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical role that first responders play in ensuring public safety during emergencies.
Leave a comment