New York City's police department (NYPD) has stated it is investigating a recent video that shows three people emerging from a manhole. The video, posted on TikTok last Friday, depicts the individuals climbing out of a manhole at 4.19am on 18 August, wearing headlamps and black overalls near Madison Square Garden.
A spokesperson for the NYPD confirmed on Monday that the agency is aware of the incident and is actively investigating, adding that there have been no arrests so far. This investigation follows an initial NYPD announcement about a search into multiple social media videos from May, which also showed people climbing out of sewer systems across the city in similar attire and in the middle of the night.
Authorities have stated it remains unclear whether the videos from May and the recent one are related. Previously, the NYPD's Emergency Services Unit officers entered the sewer system to check for any threats, finding nothing nefarious. The city's Environmental Protection Department also inspected the system and reportedly found no damage.
Rob Wolejsza, a spokesperson for New York’s department of environmental protection, expressed concerns regarding the health and safety of individuals entering the sewer system, stating it is both illegal and extremely dangerous.