Wilmington Tunnel Collapse Update: What Happened and How 31 Workers Were Rescued From the Underground Nightmare

In what officials have described as a 'miraculous outcome,' all 31 workers trapped deep underground following a partial tunnel collapse in Wilmington, Los Angeles, were safely rescued late Wednesday evening.

The incident, which unfolded without warning, triggered a major emergency response and has now raised urgent questions about construction safety and oversight.

What Happened Beneath Wilmington?

Initial reports suggest that the collapse occurred inside the Los Angeles County Sanitation District's under-construction tunnel, part of the $630.5 million Clearwater Project. Located nearly 400 feet underground, the six-mile-long tunnel is intended to carry treated wastewater from the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant to the Pacific Ocean.

At around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, a section of the tunnel partially gave way while 27 workers were operating more than five miles from the only access point on North Figueroa Street. Four additional workers entered soon after, hoping to assist their colleagues, according to Robert Ferrante, the district's chief engineer.

'Any time you have a collapse in a tunnel behind you, there is only one way out... So they had to come back and make their way through the damaged section of the tunnel,' Ferrante said during a late-night press briefing. 'It was very scary. We are very fortunate no one was hurt.'

How Were the Workers Rescued?

According to reports, as soon as the collapse occurred, more than 100 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel were dispatched to the scene, including elite Urban Search and Rescue units trained for confined-space emergencies. It should be noted that due to the sheer depth and single point of access to the tunnel, rescue efforts became complex.

Inside the tunnel, the workers faced a 12 to 15-foot-high mound of debris. However, despite the limited light and fear of further collapse, they climbed over the rubble and moved cautiously back towards the tunnel entrance.

From there, a specially outfitted tunnel vehicle transported them to the surface access shaft. One by one, they were hoisted to safety using a crane-equipped cage system.

'It was a traumatic experience,' said LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who was present at the scene. 'They came out alive and happy, but they were all shaken up.'

Mayor Expresses Gratitude Towards First Responders

Mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass, who arrived at the incident location, met several of the workers shortly after their rescue and praised both their courage and the rapid response by first responders.

'We are all blessed today in Los Angeles. No one injured, everyone safe,' she said in a press briefing. 'I just spoke with many of the workers who were trapped. Thank you to all of our brave first responders who acted immediately. You are L.A.'s true heroes.'

What Happens Next?

With the construction project now halted, officials say there will be a thorough investigation.

'There's no telling how long that will take,' said Ferrante. 'It'll take as long as it needs to make sure that the tunnel is safe.'

The collapse occurred within a tunnel built by contractor Flatiron Dragados as part of a major overhaul of LA County's wastewater infrastructure. According to reports, the Clearwater Project aims to replace two ageing tunnels built in 1937 and 1958.

The tunnel was expected to reach its final destination at Royal Palms Beach by the end of 2025 and open in 2028. Those timelines are now uncertain. The incident marks the first serious safety issue since tunnel construction began in 2021.

Meanwhile, Supervisor Hahn assured the public that a full review will be conducted. 'We'll be looking into what went wrong and doing everything we can to prevent this from happening again,' she said.

As the investigation continues, officials will soon determine the cause of the Wilmington tunnel collapse. Meanwhile, the incident also demands a fundamental change in tunnel safety protocols to protect the lives of workers.