All 31 Workers in California Industrial Tunnel Partial Collapse Survive without Serious Injury

Authorities say all 31 workers trapped Wednesday inside a section of a Los Angeles industrial tunnel have reached safety unharmed.

"Thank you to all of our brave first-responders who acted immediately. You are L.A.'s true heroes," Mayor Karen Bass posted on X.

The 18-foot-wide tunnel collapse in a section between a boring machine five miles into the tunnel and the workers, who were six miles into the tunnel according to Fox News.

The workers also were all about 400 feet underground and had to climb over 12-15 feet of fallen debris toward the boring machine.  They were then transported toward the opening.  Some of the workers had to be pulled out, according to the Associated Press.

Authorities reported that none of the workers had serious injuries.

“All of the men that were in that tunnel rescued up safe,” Bass also said. “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.  There were many anxious family members who were here waiting to make sure that their relatives were okay.  We spoke with the paramedics while the paramedics examined the men as they came up and I just have to tell you that we’re all blessed today in Los Angeles.”

The tunnel is set to be seven miles long and is intended for carrying treated wastewater from Los Angeles County to the Pacific Ocean.  In total, the project is set to cost nearly $700 million.