Los Angeles, Jul 10 (AP) Thirty-one construction workers successfully emerged from a massive industrial tunnel in Los Angeles after part of it experienced a collapse on Wednesday evening. Officials described the outcome as a blessing, as initial concerns suggested a potentially worse situation.
The incident happened between the tunnel boring machine, located 8 kilometers from the entrance, and the workers, who were stationed 9.6 kilometers into the tunnel, stated Michael Chee, spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, the agency overseeing this nearly USD 700 million initiative. The workers were operating approximately 121 meters underground.
The cause of the collapse remains under investigation, according to Chee.
The workers had to climb over more than 19.3 meters of loose soil to reach the tunnel boring machine before being transported safely back to the entrance. Aerial footage captured the workers being lifted out of the tunnel in a yellow cage, hoisted by a crane. No major injuries were reported, authorities confirmed.
Arally Orozco recounted being in church when she began receiving numerous calls and a text from her son about the accident involving the tunnel where her three brothers worked. “It was sad and scary,” she expressed in Spanish. “We feared the worst.” After an hour of anxiety, she finally reached one of her brothers, who informed her that they had to squeeze through a narrow space to escape.
“My brother was crying,” Orozco shared. “He thought he was going to die underground.” LA City Councilmember Tim McOsker commended the workers for maintaining their composure under pressure.
“This is an extremely technical and challenging project. They knew exactly what steps to take to ensure their safety,” McOsker noted, adding praise for the skilled individuals involved. Mayor Karen Bass met some of the workers during a news conference, expressing relief and gratitude.
“When we rushed down here, I was worried we'd find tragedy. Instead, we found triumph," Bass declared. "All the men from the tunnel, rescued, safe, and sound.”
The tunnel is being constructed almost entirely beneath the public right-of-way. It boasts a width of 5.5 meters and will extend for 11.3 kilometers, tasked with transporting treated wastewater from Los Angeles County to the Pacific Ocean. Work will remain halted until the project contractor conducts a thorough assessment and verifies the site's safety.
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