At about 4 a.m. on August 18, a passerby captured video of three individuals climbing out of a manhole on Seventh Avenue, directly across from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan. The footage, posted online, shows the people emerging from the underground opening and walking away without carrying any visible items.
The man who recorded the incident said he believes at least five people exited the manhole, but his camera only caught the last three. “I was kind of in shock that this was real, and it was something I was really witnessing, cause it’s usually something you see on TV or something,” he said. He added that the group appeared to know what they were doing, noting their professional demeanor.
Police sources suggest the individuals may have been treasure hunters or urban explorers, a pattern that has emerged in recent months across New York City. Similar incidents were reported in May, when people wearing waders and using headlamps entered manholes in Flatbush, Williamsburg, and Queens. Authorities do not believe the activities are linked to terrorism.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) inspected the sewer infrastructure at the Midtown location shortly after the incident. While the department confirmed that the system remains structurally sound, it emphasized that unauthorized entry into the sewer network is both illegal and dangerous. “Sewers can contain numerous hazards, including noxious and potentially deadly gases, unstable surfaces, flooding risks, and confined spaces. For these reasons, members of the public should never enter a pipe, drain, catch basin, manhole, or outfall,” the DEP statement read.
Law enforcement response
The NYPD opened an active investigation into the Manhattan incident. No arrests have been made to date. In July, two people were arrested and charged with criminal trespass after a similar manhole event in Brooklyn. Earlier, in 2025, several men faced criminal mischief and burglary charges after being caught climbing into a Brooklyn manhole.
City officials are urging residents to report any suspicious activity involving the underground infrastructure and to avoid entering any sewer access points. The DEP will continue to monitor the situation and conduct periodic inspections to ensure public safety.
Public safety reminder
Entering the city’s sewer system without proper authorization not only violates municipal codes but also puts individuals at risk of serious injury or death. Hazards include toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide, limited ventilation, sudden water surges, and the potential for structural collapse. First responders stress that even experienced urban explorers can encounter unexpected dangers.
Anyone who observes unauthorized activity in a manhole or other sewer access point should contact the NYPD or the DEP hotline immediately. The city remains committed to maintaining safe public works infrastructure while discouraging illegal exploration of its underground network.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
