WILMINGTON, Calif. — A dramatic rescue unfolded Wednesday night as firefighters worked tirelessly to save at least 31 workers trapped in a tunnel collapse in Wilmington, Los Angeles. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. in the 1700 block of N. Figueroa Street, prompting a swift response from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).

More than 100 LAFD personnel, including specialized Urban Search and Rescue teams, rushed to the scene. Mayor Karen Bass was also present to oversee the operation. Fortunately, the workers managed to escape the collapsed tunnel on their own, climbing over a 12-15-foot pile of loose soil to reach safety.

LAFD officials reported that the workers were shuttled out of the tunnel using a vehicle designed for tunnel transport. Eyewitness footage captured the moment workers were hoisted out in a cage by a crane, showcasing the scale of the rescue effort. Despite the chaos, no injuries were reported, although 27 workers were medically evaluated by paramedics at the scene.

"We had an opportunity to speak with them. We had an opportunity to make sure that they were able to reach their family members. Their family members knew they were safe," said Mayor Bass, highlighting the emotional aspect of the rescue.

The tunnel, which has an 18-foot diameter, is part of a municipal wastewater management project being constructed by the L.A. County Sanitation District. The collapse occurred at an underground excavation site located approximately five to six miles south of the tunnel's sole entry point. L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn remarked, "The men came up. They came out. They're alive," emphasizing the risks associated with tunneling projects.

The tunnel is being built from the A.K. Warren Water Resource Facility to San Pedro and is expected to be completed by 2028. As the situation develops, further details about the incident and the ongoing construction project are anticipated.