All 31 Workers Rescued After Tunnel Collapse In Los Angeles

July 11, 2025

A construction site in Los Angeles became the center of a dramatic rescue operation after part of a massive underground tunnel collapsed Wednesday evening, trapping dozens of workers hundreds of feet below the surface.

Miraculously, all 31 workers made it out safely—an outcome local officials are calling a blessing.

The tunnel collapsed in the 1700 block of Figueroa in LA Street

The collapse happened roughly six miles into a 7-mile-long tunnel being built to transport treated wastewater to the Pacific Ocean. The structure, which is 18 feet wide and about 400 feet underground, is part of a nearly $700 million infrastructure project overseen by the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts.

According to spokesperson Michael Chee, the collapse occurred between the workers and the tunnel boring machine, located about five miles in from the only access point. Workers were forced to scramble over a pile of dirt 12 to 15 feet high to reach the machine and make their way back out. Rescue crews used a crane and a yellow cage to lift them to safety.

The Los Angeles Fire Department quickly mobilized more than 100 personnel, including Urban Search and Rescue teams, to the scene on South Figueroa Street in Wilmington. LAFD confirmed that none of the workers sustained serious injuries.

Families of the trapped workers anxiously waited for news. Arally Orozco, who had three brothers working in the tunnel, described receiving the terrifying call while at church. One of her brothers later told her they had to squeeze through tight spaces to escape.

“My brother was crying,” she recalled. “He told me he thought he was going to die underground.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who met with several of the workers after the rescue, said, “I was so concerned that we were going to find tragedy. Instead, what we found was victory.” Councilmember Tim McOsker echoed the sentiment, commending the crew’s professionalism and quick thinking during the crisis.

The prime contractor, Flatiron Dragados, noted that the tunnel replaces aging infrastructure dating back to the 1930s and 1950s. The incident marked the first major accident since the construction began over two years ago.

Work at the site will remain paused until the contractor completes a thorough safety review. Meanwhile, Cal/OSHA has launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse.

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