Influencer's big dig shut down by DC officials

Article content

Officials in Washington, DC, are not digging the work of a TikToker named ‘Tunnel Girl.’

Tunnel Girl has been ordered to abandon her unpermitted tunnel-digging project at her suburban home after amassing a half-million followers while documenting the elaborate excavation.

The social media influencer, also known as ‘Kala the science girl,’ has been building a tunnel system leading to a storm shelter off the side of her basement in Herndon, Va., since October 2022.

Kala, who uses the handles @kalaenginner and @engineer.everything, has taken her viewers along for the journey, showing them the progression of a tunnel system that leads to a “sub-basement” chamber some 22 feet underground.

The project included cutting through concrete, mining sediment, installing an elevator shaft, pumping out water, and installing electricity and ventilation.

When she’s not digging an underground tunnel, the woman claims to be an office worker by day. In her video clips, she speaks in a monotone voice and sports fashionable outfits, makeup and manicured nails.

On Dec. 28, Kala posted a clip that showed her getting a visit from city officials who shut down the project.

“They did give me a stop work order and are requiring an immediate evaluation by a professional engineer,” she told viewers. “Fortunately, contrary to rumours here, it is constructed entirely below the slab of my house and it shouldn’t be too hard to get the permits and approval.”

One neighbour told WUSA9 he was worried about a lack of safety precautions and the overall potential impact on the neighbhourhood.

“It’s definitely a first,” said the man, who the station identified only as David, according to the New York Post.

“It’s concerning during the day that there’s a lot of noise being made but nothing that would truly bother us to call the authorities in any way,” he said.

Kala declined to speak with the outlet and told the Post she couldn’t comment “until the permit process is complete.”

Officials in her town confirmed they are working with Kala “to correct any violations and ensure that the property is safe and in compliance with the code,” after inspectors “received notice” that she was in “potential violation of the Uniform Statewide Building Code.”

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Play Video