On the evening of July 9, 2025, a section of a large industrial tunnel under construction in Wilmington, Los Angeles, caved in. The tunnel was part of a major wastewater management project and lay about 400 feet underground. Over 100 firefighters and rescue teams from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) rushed to the scene after an underground collapse trapped 31 construction workers inside.
What happened in Los Angeles?
On July 9, 2025, something very scary happened in Wilmington, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. A group of workers was building a big underground tunnel for a water project. While they were working deep underground, part of the tunnel suddenly collapsed. A large amount of dirt and rock blocked the path, trapping 31 workers inside the tunnel.
The tunnel is part of a $630 million wastewater project. It is being built to carry water safely from the city to the sea. This tunnel goes very deep about 400 feet underground.
How the workers escaped from the collapsed tunnel
The trapped workers did not panic. They stayed calm and helped each other. A few workers were able to climb over the collapsed dirt a pile about 12 to 15 feet high. They reached an area where the tunnel was still safe. Then, they used a small vehicle inside the tunnel to drive nearly a mile back to the only safe exit.
When they reached the surface, rescue teams used safety cages and cranes to lift them out one by one. It took about 90 minutes to bring everyone out safely.
Some of the workers began climbing the pile of dirt, slowly and carefully. It was not easy. The loose soil made it hard to get a strong grip. But they helped each other by giving hands, lifting tools, and pulling teammates up. Every step forward brought them closer to safety.
Tunnel work on hold for now
The tunnel is part of a large project to improve how Los Angeles handles dirty water. The plan is to build a strong and safe pipe system. The project is worth over $600 million and is very important for the city.
But now, after the collapse, work is stopped. Engineers and safety teams will look at everything and decide how to make the tunnel safer before work starts again.
This new tunnel is part of a plan called the Clearwater Project, and it is very large. The full project is expected to cost over $600 million. That’s a huge amount of money, but it is necessary to replace old pipelines that are very old and damaged. Some of the pipes in the area are more than 60 years old. If they break, it could cause big problems like leaks, flooding, or pollution in the ocean.
Mayor thanks the rescue team
After the rescue, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass shared her feelings. She said:
“Thank you to all the brave firefighters and rescue teams who saved the lives of 31 workers today. You are real heroes. The city is proud of you.”
