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People in New York keep climbing into manholes. Police aren't sure why.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Aug 28, 2026
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By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Aug 28, 2026
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Nassau County police are investigating after several people were spotted entering a manhole in Wantagh, Long Island, early Thursday morning.
Department officials said they received calls from witnesses around 1 a.m., reporting the bizarre behavior at the intersection of Wantagh and Jerusalem avenues.
What the people were doing — as well as why they went down the hole in the first place — remains unclear, according to police. Officers who arrived to investigate didn't find anyone in the manhole, and said no witnesses had reported seeing the individuals emerge.
The incident follows a strange series of similar sightings in New York City. A video shared on social media and confirmed by the NYPD shows five people climbing out of a manhole near West 31st Street and Seventh Avenue around 4 a.m. on Tuesday. Some appear to be wearing dark clothing and headlamps.
In May, witnesses observed groups of seven or eight people entering two manholes in Gravesend and Williamsburg – opposite ends of Brooklyn – and emerging hours later.
The NYPD has not made arrests in any of the cases, and says it is continuing to investigate. It’s unclear whether the incidents are connected.
The city’s Department of Environmental Protection warns that entering the sewer system is illegal and that doing so risks exposure to hazards like potentially deadly gases, unstable surfaces and flooding.
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long island
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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