• 31 construction workers rescued after a tunnel collapse in Los Angeles.
• The incident occurred approximately 400 feet underground.
• None of the workers sustained major injuries during the cave-in.
• Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse.
• Work will remain halted until the site is deemed safe.

Thirty-one construction workers inside a massive industrial tunnel in Los Angeles were successfully rescued after a portion of the tunnel collapsed on Wednesday evening. Officials described the rescue as a "blessing" given the initial fears of potential casualties. The cave-in took place approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers) from the single entrance of the tunnel, where the workers were about 400 feet (121 meters) underground, according to NPR, South China Morning Post, and HuffPost.

The incident occurred between the tunnel boring machine and the workers' location, which was just over 6 miles (9.6 kilometers) in. The workers had to navigate through loose soil that was more than 12 feet (19.3 meters) high to reach the boring machine before being hoisted to safety. Fortunately, all workers exited without major injuries, according to NPR and South China Morning Post.

Family members expressed their anxiety during the situation; Arally Orozco, who was at church, received alarming news about her brothers. "It was sad and scary," she shared, recalling her fear that the worst had happened. After an hour of uncertainty, she managed to contact one of her brothers who described the tense situation as they squeezed through the confined space to escape, as reported by South China Morning Post and HuffPost.

City officials like LA Councilmember Tim McOsker praised the workers' professionalism under pressure, highlighting their understanding of safety protocols during an emergency. Mayor Karen Bass echoed this sentiment, expressing relief that none of the workers were seriously harmed, stating “what we found was victory.” She acknowledged meeting with some of the rescued workers and witnessing their return to safety, according to NPR, South China Morning Post, and HuffPost.

The construction project, which is designed to transport treated wastewater to the Pacific Ocean, will remain paused until a safety assessment of the collapse site is completed. The tunnel's structure is designed to be 7 miles (11.3 kilometers) long and 18 feet (5.5 meters) wide, as detailed by NPR, South China Morning Post, and HuffPost.