Reports of individuals descending into New York City's vast underground sewer system have prompted an investigation by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and warnings from city officials. Videos posted on US social media last week captured multiple instances of people opening manhole covers and entering the dangerous network.
One video from Flatbush showed at least seven individuals, equipped with headlamps, waders, and gloves, around a manhole on the night of 28/5. They re-emerged from the same spot around 2h on 29/5. Another video from Gravesend depicted seven people climbing out of a manhole in the middle of a street, with at least three carrying shovels.
While no suspects have been apprehended, the NYPD believes these individuals are likely searching for lost items in the sewers, an act deemed illegal and highly dangerous. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP), which manages the city's sewer system, issued a stark warning about the perils.
Mysterious group descends into New York City's drainage system. *Video: X/ViralNewsNYC*
"Inside the sewers, there are numerous potentially fatal hazards such as toxic gases, unstable ground, and sudden water surges," a NYC DEP spokesperson stated. "Residents must never enter any pipes, drains, manholes, or outfalls."
Despite the clear risks of arrest and serious injury or death, the allure of lost valuables continues to draw these individuals, sometimes referred to as "sewer rats." New York's extensive 12,000 km sewer system is believed to harbor numerous lost items, including gold rings, jewelry, coins, and watches, according to the NY Post.
This "treasure hunting" phenomenon in the sewers is not new to New York. In 2015, Marquis Evans, a 21-year-old part-time employee of the city's Department of Environmental Protection, was involved in opening a Brooklyn manhole for two friends to search for "gold, jewelry, and guns." The three undertook multiple such excursions before being discovered and prosecuted for trespassing. Bill Bratton, then-leader of the NYPD, commented at the time, "God only knows what they were looking for down there."
A "sewer rat" emerges from a manhole in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, on 31/5. *Video: X/Felix*
A decade later, the draw of lost valuables persists. In 4/2025, three more individuals were arrested for entering the sewers. "We went down there because people drop gold. We sell it for money," one of the three confessed. New York media reports suggest that the appeal of the sewers for retrieving valuables dates back even further, with 19th-century New York Times articles mentioning instances of jewelry being recovered from the drainage systems.
The rise of online video platforms has further amplified public attention on sewer treasure hunting. Many videos posted by these "sewer rats" offer close-up views inside New York's dark subway tunnels and drainage systems, showcasing their illicit activities.
Following the 2015 incident, Bratton acknowledged the difficulty authorities face in preventing reckless individuals from prying open manhole covers and descending into the dangerous pipes below. "This is dangerous, irresponsible behavior," he stated. "The reality is we cannot be everywhere to protect everything."
Duc Trung (According to NY Post, AP, USA Today)
