Key Points:
- All 31 workers in Wilmington safely escaped a tunnel collapse, and no injuries were reported.
- The collapse occurred in a 7-mile sewer tunnel under construction for the Clearwater Project, caused by unstable soil conditions.
- Workers climbed over debris to reach safety with four of them entering the damaged section to aid in the rescue.
On July 9, 2025, a section of a 7-mile sewer tunnel under construction in Los Angeles’ Wilmington area collapsed, trapping 31 workers. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), all escaped uninjured after climbing over a tall pile of loose soil to reach an unaffected part of the 18-foot-wide tunnel.
The workers were shuttled 5 miles back to the tunnel’s entry point. Four workers entered the damaged section to aid the rescue, showing bravery, LAFD Chief Ronnie Villanueva said at a July 9 briefing.
Clearwater Project Faces Setback
In a completed segment of the Los Angeles County Sanitation District’s project to improve the sewer system, a collapse occurred. The principal engineer of the project, Robert Ferrante, stated that the rare yet known risk in tunneling, “squeezing ground conditions,” was the cause of the partial collapse.
Quick mobilization by the LAFD guaranteed that all workers were safely evacuated.
In an X post on July 9, 2025, Mayor Karen Bass expressed gratitude for first responders and acknowledged having spoken with the employees. The event has sparked doubts about construction safety.
Rescue Operation Succeeds
According to the LAFD, the first 27 trapped workers negotiated their way through the trash to reach safety, meeting colleagues in a steady tunnel area. Though they faced great dangers, the four additional personnel who joined the collapsed scene to assist helped guarantee a successful rescue.
Given the force of the collapse, no injuries were noted—a remarkable result. With emergency procedures carried out quickly, the operation called for coordinated efforts from county officials and the LAFD.
The Clearwater Project’s safety procedures are now called into question. Ferrante said engineers are inspecting the destroyed part to prevent future occurrences; however, no timeframe for returning to work was provided.
Local leaders pledged to investigate building methods and soil stability to ensure worker safety.