A dramatic rescue effort is underway after an industrial tunnel collapsed Wednesday evening in the Wilmington neighborhood, trapping at least 15 workers underground, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
“As many as 15 tunnel workers have been initially reported isolated by a “collapse” in an (undetermined depth or diameter) industrial tunnel as many as six miles south from the response address, which is the sole tunnel access,” LAFD said in a statement.
“No injuries have been confirmed. More than 100 LAFD responders are assigned, including LAFD Urban Search and Rescue team members specially trained, certified and equipped to handle confined space tunnel rescues.”
The collapse occurred at approximately 8 p.m. near the intersection of West Lomita Boulevard and South Figueroa Street, at the 1700 block of North Figueroa Street.
The tunnel is part of the $630 million Los Angeles Effluent Outfall Tunnel project, a wastewater management system being constructed by Flatiron‑Dragados. It runs roughly 7 miles, measures about 18 feet in diameter, and descends approximately 450 feet underground, according to the LA Times.
Rescue teams noted that the trapped workers are located as much as six miles south of the tunnel’s only access point.
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Authorities have not been able to contact the people trapped inside. The tunnel collapse appeared to damage communication lines.
LAFD has sent a massive amount of resources, including all of their Urban Search and Rescue teams, to the 1700 block of South Figueroa Street. Firefighters said the collapse happened as many as six miles away from the sole access point of the tunnel.
“The City of Los Angeles has mobilized resources to the tunnel collapse in Wilmington,” Mayor Karen Bass wrote in a post to X. More than 100 LAFD responders have been deployed, including Urban Search and Rescue teams. Thank you to all of those who are acting immediately to respond to this emergency.”
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