Workers Escape Flash Flood as Water Bursts Into Tunnel Under Construction in China

A security camera captured the dramatic moment when a torrent of water suddenly burst through a tunnel under construction in Sichuan, China, forcing workers to flee as the passageway rapidly filled with muddy water.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of November 10, 2025, at the Ningnan Tunnel, part of the Yanjiang Expressway project. According to footage released from the site, workers were performing routine excavation work when water erupted from the inner section of the tunnel, surging toward the exit with tremendous force. The flow swept away machinery, tools, and construction materials within seconds, leaving the crew with only moments to escape.

Local authorities later confirmed that the event was caused by a sudden water ingress during excavation, describing it as a type of underground flash flood often associated with hidden aquifers or pressurised groundwater pockets encountered in tunnel works.

Casualties and Damage

According to initial official assessments, no fatalities or serious injuries were reported. Emergency teams quickly accounted for all personnel on site. However, authorities emphasised that a full investigation is underway to determine the precise cause of the water intrusion and to evaluate safety protocols at the construction site.

The extent of property damage—including losses of machinery, equipment, and structural impact to the tunnel—is still being assessed. Engineers remain on site to inspect stability and determine when, or if, construction can safely resume.