Washington, July 10 (H.S.): All 31 workers trapped in a collapsed industrial tunnel in Wilmington, Los Angeles on Wednesday night, have been rescued, as confirmed by city officials. The tunnel, measuring 18 feet in diameter, was under construction for a wastewater management project.

The Los Angeles Fire Department reported no casualties during the incident. The collapse occurred approximately six miles from the tunnel’s access point, resulting in piles of dirt up to 15 feet high. First responders, over 100 in total, swiftly participated in the rescue, with workers extracted about an hour after the collapse at 7:58 PM.

Mayor Karen Bass and Supervisor Janice Hahn expressed their appreciation for the rapid response of the fire department. This tunnel, part of the Clearwater Project, is a significant infrastructure investment, estimated at $630.5 million, designed to replace outdated systems from 1937 and 1958. With a length of seven miles and a depth of 450 feet, the project is expected to be completed by 2027.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar