Emergency crews are working through the night in Los Angeles after a major tunnel collapse trapped at least 15 people deep underground. The accident happened in Wilmington, on the 1700 block of South Figueroa Street.
Rescue workers from the Los Angeles Fire Department arrived quickly at the scene. More than 100 firefighters and search experts have been sent to help. All Urban Search and Rescue teams are now involved in the emergency operation.
Officials say communication with those trapped has been lost. The collapse damaged systems that link workers inside the tunnel to those above ground. As of now, no contact has been made with the missing individuals.
Some construction workers were seen being lifted to safety using a crane just before 9 p.m. The exact number of people still underground remains unknown. Officials believe the collapse took place as far as six miles from the only tunnel entrance.
The tunnel is part of a large public works project worth $630.5 million. It is part of the Los Angeles Effluent Outfall Tunnel project. This major effort is overseen by the Los Angeles County Sanitation District. The goal is to replace old wastewater tunnels that were built decades ago, in 1937 and 1958.
Flatiron Dragados, the lead company working on the site, shared technical details of the tunnel online. It is about 7 miles long, 18 feet wide, and located 450 feet below ground. Construction documents show that the digging part of the project was supposed to be done by April 2025.
If completed as planned, the new tunnel will help carry treated water to the ocean. The full project was set to be finished by 2027, with the tunnel opening for use in January 2028.
City officials are treating the event as a major emergency. In a message on social media, the city’s mayor thanked first responders. She said the city has sent full support to the area.
The situation remains tense as rescue teams try to reach the trapped workers. The effort is complex and dangerous due to the depth of the tunnel and the distance from the entry point.
Experts say tunnel rescues are among the most difficult operations for emergency workers. The deeper the tunnel, the more dangerous it is for those involved. Risks include further collapses, limited air, and unstable ground.
The cause of the collapse is still unknown. Investigators will examine whether it was linked to structural problems, equipment failure, or natural ground movement.
Safety reviews will likely follow this incident. Large-scale construction projects like this often come under strict safety rules. Any failure can have serious consequences for both workers and the community.
As the rescue continues, families of the trapped workers are waiting for news. Emergency officials are expected to give updates as new information becomes available.
This tunnel collapse in LA has drawn attention to the risks of deep construction work and the importance of strict safety standards. Rescue teams are working hard to save lives, as the city watches and hopes for a safe outcome.