28 Workers Trapped After Tunnel Collapse in Los Angeles Suburb, LAFD Deploys 100+ Responders

International News: The Los Angeles Fire Department reported a tunnel collapse on Wednesday. The suburb of Los Angeles, Wilmington, saw a tunnel collapse, which is located near the intersection of W. Lomita Boulevard and S. Figueroa Street. The initial report of the fire department in the city reported 15 workers being trapped. Later on, the number was updated to 28, with no injuries reported. The fire department has also confirmed deploying over 100 responders to the scene.

LAFD's initial statement

The Los Angeles Fire Department initially claimed that a total of 15 workers had been trapped after the collapse. "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. No injuries have been confirmed," the LAFD said in an initial statement.

According to the media reports, LAFD said, "The collapse occurred about six miles south from the response address, which is the sole tunnel access."

More than 100 responders deployed

The LAFD confirmeddeploying over 100 responders to pull off the rescue operations. Right now, a total of 28 workers are feared trapped. LAFD said, “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.”

About the tunnel

The Los Angeles Effluent Outfall Tunnel, which is part of the Los Angeles County Sanitation District's Clearwater Project, is 7 miles long, about 18 feet wide, and 450 feet below ground level. The prime contractor firm related to the tunnel said that the workers were working on a new project that is aimed at repairing the wastewater management tunnels constructed in 1937 and 1958.

The work was already running late, as it was expected to finish by April 2025, according to the documents from the L.A. County Sanitation Department from July 2024. Now, the project is expected to be completed by 2027, and the tunnel will be operational starting in 2028.