People Keep Sneaking Into New York City Sewers. No One Knows Why.
New York City police are investigating a trend of individuals entering manholes and sneaking into the sewer system for unknown reasons. While the motive remains unclear to authorities, reports suggest a variety of actors may be involved, including influencers, treasure hunters, and "mole people." The activity has extended beyond the city, with a recent incident in Wantagh, Nassau County, where surveillance video captured five men illegally entering the sewer system at the intersection of Wantagh Avenue and Jerusalem Avenue. Police in Wantagh have not yet located the men.
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- ✓ People are repeatedly entering manholes and sewers in New York City.
- ✓ Police are unsure why people are climbing into the manholes.
- ✓ Five men entered the sewer system in Wantagh, Nassau County.
- ✓ Surveillance video captured the group entering the manhole at the intersection of Wantagh Avenue and Jerusalem Avenue.
What changed
Surveillance footage has documented a group of five men entering the sewer system in Wantagh, Long Island.
Live updates
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Police Investigate Surge in Unauthorized New York Sewer Entries
New York City police are investigating a trend of individuals entering manholes and sneaking into the sewer system for unknown reasons. While the motive remains unclear to authorities, reports suggest a variety of actors may be involved, including influencers, treasure hunters, and "mole people." The activity has extended beyond the city, with a recent incident in Wantagh, Nassau County, where surveillance video captured five men illegally entering the sewer system at the intersection of Wantagh Avenue and Jerusalem Avenue. Police in Wantagh have not yet located the men.
Why it matters
Unauthorized entry into municipal sewer systems poses significant safety risks and security concerns for city infrastructure. The emergence of social media influencers and urban explorers has increased public visibility of these subterranean spaces.
What is confirmed
- People are repeatedly entering manholes and sewers in New York City.
- Police are unsure why people are climbing into the manholes.
- Five men entered the sewer system in Wantagh, Nassau County.
- Surveillance video captured the group entering the manhole at the intersection of Wantagh Avenue and Jerusalem Avenue.
Still unconfirmed
- Influencers, treasure hunters, and "mole people" are among those operating beneath New York City.
What to watch next
- The recovery or identification of the five men who entered the Wantagh sewer system
- Police statements identifying a specific motive for the NYC manhole entries
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (12)
- ny1.com — Hundreds of flights canceled at NYC airports due to weather
- Gothamist — People in New York keep climbing into manholes. Police aren't sure why.
- ABC7 Eyewitness News — Long Island manhole mystery: Group of five men enters sewer in Wantagh in Nassau County | Video
- News12 | Long Island — Police Investigate Reports Of Group Entering Wantagh Sewer System
- The Independent — ‘Mole people’, treasure hunters and influencers: what’s going on beneath NYC?
- Yahoo — People Keep Climbing From NYC Manholes, Here's Why
- The New York Times — People Keep Sneaking Into New York City Sewers. No One Knows Why.
- CBS News — Video captures group entering manhole on Long Island
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- www.longislandpress.com — Men enter sewer system illegally in Wantagh, not yet found
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