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Industrial Tunnel Collapse in Wilmington
Thirty-one construction workers were successfully rescued following the collapse of an 18-foot diameter tunnel at a Wilmington worksite on Wednesday evening. The incident occurred during the Clearwater Project, which involves constructing a new wastewater tunnel system for the Los Angeles County Sanitation District.
Rescue Operation Details
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, workers managed to scramble over a 12-15 foot pile of loose soil to reach safety. They were then transported via tunnel vehicle to the entry point located five miles away. Workers were extracted using an elevator system called a "bird cage" that can carry up to eight people at a time.
Project Background
The Clearwater Project aims to replace aging infrastructure with a new 25-foot diameter tunnel designed to carry treated wastewater from the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant to the ocean. At the time of the collapse, a tunnel boring machine was operating six miles south of the plant.
More than 100 LAFD personnel responded to the incident at 1701 N. Figueroa St., including specialized confined-space rescue teams. All workers were medically evaluated by paramedics after exiting the tunnel, with no injuries reported.
Mayor Karen Bass praised first responders, calling them "L.A.'s true heroes" in a social media statement.
