News

Dozens Trapped, All Rescued: Tunnel Collapse Shakes Los Angeles

Published

5 months ago

July 10, 2025

Los Angeles, CA — On Wednesday night, a routine shift turned harrowing for 31 construction workers deep beneath the streets of Wilmington, Los Angeles. A massive industrial tunnel, part of a municipal wastewater project, partially collapsed, trapping the workers nearly 400 feet underground and up to six miles from the tunnel’s only access point.

The Collapse

Time & Place: The incident occurred around 8 p.m. in the Wilmington neighborhood, where crews were operating a tunnel boring machine for a $700 million infrastructure project.
Depth & Distance: Workers were located between five and six miles from the sole entry shaft, making rescue efforts especially challenging.
Immediate Danger: An avalanche of loose soil, estimated at 12 to 15 feet high, blocked the only route out, leaving the crew stranded in a confined, unstable environment.

The Rescue Operation

Rapid Response: Over 100 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, including Urban Search and Rescue teams trained for confined-space emergencies, rushed to the scene.
Escape and Extraction: Some workers managed to climb over the debris to reach colleagues on the other side. Rescue teams used tunnel vehicles to shuttle small groups back to the access point, while others were hoisted to safety by crane.
No Major Injuries: Miraculously, all 31 workers were rescued without visible injuries. Paramedics evaluated the crew as a precaution, but no one required hospitalization.

Emotional Reunions and Official Response

Family Relief: Above ground, families waited anxiously for news. “It was sad and scary. We feared the worst,” said Arally Orozco, whose three brothers were among the trapped workers. Relief swept through the crowd as each worker emerged safely.
City Leaders React: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass met with the rescued workers and praised the first responders, calling them “LA’s true heroes.” City officials described the outcome as a “victory” and a blessing, given the initial fears of tragedy.

The Bigger Picture: LA’s Hidden Underground

Los Angeles is famous for its sprawling freeways and sunny skyline, but beneath the city lies a vast network of tunnels—some historic, some modern. From Prohibition-era bootlegger routes to abandoned subway lines and current infrastructure projects, these subterranean passages are a little-known but vital part of LA’s story.

Michael Chee, PIO LA County Sanitation Districts

While Wednesday’s incident ended safely, it highlights the risks faced by those who work beneath the city and the importance of robust safety protocols for underground construction.

Table: Key Facts About the Wilmington Tunnel Collapse

Fact	Detail
Date/Time	July 9, 2025, ~8 p.m.
Location	Wilmington, Los Angeles
Number Trapped	31 workers
Depth	~400 feet below ground
Distance from Entry	5–6 miles
Cause	Partial collapse, loose soil
Rescue Teams	100+ LAFD responders, Urban Search and Rescue
Outcome	All rescued, no major injuries

Looking Ahead

Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse and have paused work on the project. For now, the successful rescue stands as a testament to the skill and bravery of LA’s emergency responders—and a reminder of the hidden dangers beneath the city’s surface.

Entertainment

Jimmy Cliff, Reggae Legend and Star of ‘The Harder They Come,’ Dies at 81

Published

3 days ago

November 24, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Jimmy Cliff, the legendary Jamaican reggae pioneer and star of the iconic film “The Harder They Come,” has died at the age of 81. His family announced on November 24, 2025, that he passed away after suffering a seizure followed by pneumonia. The announcement expressed deep gratitude to his global fans for their support throughout his career, emphasizing how much he cherished his audience’s love.

Career and Legacy

Jimmy Cliff was renowned for popularizing reggae music worldwide through his soulful voice and timeless songs such as “Many Rivers to Cross,” “You Can Get It If You Really Want,” and “Vietnam.” He starred as Ivanhoe “Ivan” Martin in the 1972 musical crime film “The Harder They Come,” which played a pivotal role in bringing reggae and Jamaican culture to a global audience.

Cliff’s influence extended beyond music; he was a symbol of resilience, hope, and positivity through decades of work as a musician and actor.

Recent Activities

In 2025, Jimmy Cliff announced a new album titled “Legacy,” set for release in September, along with a final world tour to mark the end of his performance career. This project was described as a tribute to reggae’s past, present, and future, featuring collaborations with global stars and emerging Jamaican talents. Despite health challenges, Cliff continued to contribute meaningfully to music and culture until the very end.

Personal and Family Acknowledgements

His wife, Latifa Chambers, shared the news of his passing on social media, highlighting the strength he drew from his fans and thanking family, friends, and collaborators who were part of his journey. She requested fans know that their support meant everything to him throughout his life and career.

Jimmy Cliff leaves behind a legacy as one of reggae’s most influential figures, who helped shape the genre’s identity and brought its message of peace and resistance to the world stage.

News

Candace Owens Says Macrons Funded Plot to Kill Her

Published

3 days ago

November 24, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Conservative commentator Candace Owens has made explosive allegations that French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron orchestrated and financed a plot to assassinate her. Owens alleges that she was alerted by a high-ranking source within the French government who revealed that the assassination was to be carried out by an elite French police unit, the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN), along with the involvement of at least one Israeli operative. According to Owens, this “joint state operation” was motivated by her outspoken coverage and conspiratorial claims about Brigitte Macron, including controversial statements questioning the First Lady’s gender identity.

Owens further claims the payments for the assassination were funneled through a secret French elite club called Club des Cent, suggesting a sophisticated and well-financed scheme. She also links this alleged plot to the assassination of her late friend Charlie Kirk in 2025, suggesting that his killer received training from France’s 13th Foreign Legion Brigade and that these events are part of a larger multi-state conspiracy.

Despite these serious accusations, Owens has not publicly shared concrete evidence, and French, Israeli, and American authorities have not confirmed any part of the story. The Macron family has previously filed defamation lawsuits against Owens over her unfounded assertions about them, highlighting a tense and ongoing feud.

Owens has vowed to provide further details, including identities and financial proof, if given the opportunity, and has called on the public and patriotic investigators to examine the matter closely. While her claims have stirred widespread attention and heated debate across social media and conservative circles, they currently remain unsubstantiated allegations amid a highly charged political and media environment.

This controversy adds a new and dramatic layer to Owens’ volatile relationship with the Macrons, marking perhaps the most sensational claim so far in her ongoing public disputes with the French presidential couple.

News

Fugees Rapper Pras Michel Sentenced to 14 Years in Campaign Scandal

Published

6 days ago

November 21, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Pras Michel, Grammy-winning rapper and founding member of the iconic group the Fugees, has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for his role in a sprawling illegal campaign finance and foreign influence scheme. The sentencing was handed down on November 20, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in Washington, D.C., following Michel’s conviction in April 2023 on charges including conspiracy, money laundering, acting as an unregistered foreign agent, and witness tampering.

At the heart of the scandal was Michel’s involvement in funneling over $120 million from fugitive Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho—known as Jho Low—into the 2012 reelection campaign of former President Barack Obama. Prosecutors detailed how Michel helped hide the origin of foreign donations through shell companies and straw donors, violating U.S. campaign finance laws that prohibit foreign contributions. Beyond the Obama campaign, Michel also engaged in illegal lobbying efforts during the Trump administration to obstruct investigations into Low’s role in the notorious 1MDB scandal, a massive Malaysian sovereign wealth fund corruption case.

Prosecutors described Michel as having “betrayed his country for financial gain,” persistently lying and manipulating government entities over nearly a decade. They advocated for a life sentence, emphasizing the severity of his offenses and the threat posed to U.S. national security. Testimonies during the high-profile trial included notable figures such as Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Michel’s defense team condemned the harsh sentence as “entirely disproportionate,” arguing that similar cases resulted in lighter penalties, and pointed out that Michel received no espionage charges—a key consideration in foreign agent prosecutions. They announced plans to appeal the verdict and sentence. Following the prison term, Michel faces three years of supervised release and forfeiture of more than $64 million tied to the illegal campaign finance activity.

Michel, who shot to fame in the 1990s as part of the Fugees alongside Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, now confronts a dramatic fall from grace that underscores the extensive consequences of illicit foreign influence in American politics. Despite this setback, his representatives remain grateful for the support received, stating that this chapter does not mark the end of his journey.

This landmark case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding U.S. elections from covert foreign interference and the serious repercussions for those who betray democratic principles for financial gain.bbc+4