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NYC officials explain viral ‘sewer rats’ footage after online panic spreads

May 30, 2026 | | Print Article

A suspicious sewer scene set investigators searching for seven men after footage captured the latest in a “recurring phenomenon” across Gotham.


(Video Credit: CBS News New York)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) may like to boast about fixing potholes and spending other people’s money, but one of the myriad matters evidently worsening under his watch involves manholes. Now, after a video reminiscent of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles went viral, the New York Police Department offered an explanation as to what the unidentified perpetrators were up to.

“The NYPD has confirmed to Flatbush Scoop that the incident involving several individuals emerging from a manhole on McDonald Avenue near Kosher Korner and Avenue S was related to people searching for lost gold and jewelry underground,” Yeshiva World News reporter Moshe Schwartz posted on X Friday, following up on the footage shared by The Flatbush Scoop. “According to police, this is a recurring phenomenon in New York City, driven by the belief that valuables frequently end up in drains or are lost on city streets.”

In footage, someone could be seen lifting the cover of a manhole as the group of men — some of whom were believed to be wearing waders — descended into the sewer. Roughly two hours later, additional video showed them emerging back onto the street at around 2 a.m.

Following the circulation of the video, an investigation on Friday included sending a member of the NYPD in coveralls into the sewer to conduct a search. Similarly, the Department of Environmental Protection conducted its own investigation, employing a camera to inspect the manhole and the surrounding area.

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A spokesperson for the DEP told the New York Post that a crew was “inspecting the sewer infrastructure at this location to ensure there is no damage to the system.”

“Entering the sewer system is both illegal and extremely dangerous. Sewers can contain numerous hazards, including noxious and potentially deadly gases, unstable surfaces, flooding risks, and confined spaces,” added the spokesperson.

The investigation comes less than two weeks after 56-year-old Donike Gocaj died after exiting her car in Midtown Manhattan, only to fall into a manhole. According to ConEd, review of footage from the area led to the determination that the cover had been dislodged by a passing truck, only possible through the use of newer light composite covers that require a locking mechanism as opposed to the older heavy steel covers. Gocaj’s autopsy had found her cause of death to include scald burns with inhalation thermal injury from steam, along with blunt force trauma to her torso.

According to the Post, since the beginning of the year, 311 calls to complain about a “defective manhole cover” or “missing” covers were nearly double that of the year prior at 714. Further put in perspective, there were a total of 1,025 manhole cover complaints for the entirety of 2025, the most since 2021.

As for the individuals who were seen entering and exiting the sewer, jokes about the potential suspects were abundant.

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Kevin Haggerty
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