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Influencers, treasure hunters or ‘mole people’? No one seems to know what is going on underground in NYC
The Independent • • business
Key Points:
- Multiple incidents have been reported in 2023 of people emerging from New York City sewers, with the latest occurring near Madison Square Garden on August 18, involving three men wearing waders and headlamps.
- Authorities, including the NYPD, are investigating these occurrences, with some individuals charged with trespassing; speculation ranges from migrants scavenging for valuables underground to social media stunts.
- Surveillance footage from various boroughs shows groups entering and exiting manholes wearing protective gear and carrying tools, suggesting coordinated underground activity, though the exact motives remain unclear.
- The New York City Department of Environmental Protection warns that entering sewers is illegal and extremely hazardous due to risks such as toxic gases, flooding, and confined spaces, emphasizing public safety concerns.
- Social media reactions vary from humorous references to pop culture characters like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Mario Bros. to serious concerns about underground populations and the potential implications of these clandestine activities.
