Tunnel Collapse, Wilmington, CA — July 10, 2025 — A major rescue operation unfolded late Wednesday night after a portion of a wastewater tunnel under construction collapsed in Wilmington, a neighborhood just south of Los Angeles. Authorities initially feared that at least 15 workers were trapped underground. Fortunately, after a tense and highly coordinated effort, all 31 workers who had been inside the tunnel at the time were safely brought to the surface, with no serious injuries reported.
The collapse occurred around 8:00 p.m. during an active work shift in a massive 18-foot-wide tunnel, located approximately five to six miles from the only known access shaft near North Figueroa Street. The tunnel, part of an infrastructure project led by the Los Angeles County Sanitation District and constructed by Dragados’ Mining and Boring Company, is intended to manage regional wastewater flow.
Initial reports from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) suggested that up to 15 individuals were trapped following the collapse. Emergency crews responded immediately, deploying over 100 personnel, including specialized Urban Search and Rescue teams. The operation was further complicated by the tunnel’s confined space and limited points of access, requiring rescuers to adapt quickly to avoid further destabilizing the site.
Crews used cranes to lower and lift personnel into and out of the shaft, extracting workers in groups of eight. In a particularly harrowing moment, workers deep inside the tunnel had to climb over a 12- to 15-foot mound of loose soil that had collapsed into their pathway. Miraculously, they were able to maneuver through the debris and make their way toward rescuers.
Video from news helicopters showed dramatic scenes of workers being hoisted from the shaft while paramedics waited at the surface. All 31 individuals were accounted for and evaluated on-site, with 27 receiving precautionary medical assessments. No serious injuries were reported.
“This could have been much worse,” said Mayor Karen Bass, who arrived at the scene to oversee rescue coordination. “We’re incredibly grateful to our emergency teams for their fast and expert response. Their training and coordination saved lives tonight.”
Officials temporarily restricted air traffic in the area, requesting helicopters maintain a distance of at least one mile to reduce noise and allow for clearer communication between teams underground and those at the surface.
With the immediate crisis over, investigators will now turn their attention to determining what caused the collapse. Engineers will assess soil conditions, structural integrity, and whether any construction or equipment failures contributed to the incident. The tunnel’s future timeline remains uncertain pending safety evaluations.
This incident highlights the extreme risks involved in large-scale subterranean construction projects and the critical importance of preparedness, quick response, and inter-agency coordination. For now, Los Angeles is breathing a sigh of relief after a dangerous night ended with every worker safe above ground.
