There’s been yet another sewer intrusion, authorities said Wednesday.
This time, it took place on the East Side at Park Avenue and East 61st Street.
The NYPD said it received a 911 call at 4:35 a.m. saying three people were spotted climbing out of a sewer. The trio then drove away in two separate vehicles that headed off northbound on Park Avenue, police said.
Almost eight hours later, the NYPD opened the manhole back up and sent down a drone. They say nothing suspicious was discovered. So far, there’s no word of any arrests.
The northbound lanes of Park Avenue were briefly closed to traffic at 61st Street on Wednesday afternoon as police investigated with the help of what appeared to be at least two federal law enforcement officers.
The incident took place amid heightened security measures in the area due to the United Nations General Assembly.
Former NYPD Deputy Commissioner Rich Esposito said he’s surprised that all manholes on Manhattan’s East Side weren’t sealed in advance of the UNGA. Now that one has been trespassed, Esposito says Wednesday’s investigation was likely multiple agencies crossing their Ts and dotting their Is in an already heightened environment.
“The extra mile has been gone. Now that they found this, they’re gonna say, ‘Did we forget anything?'” Esposito said. “It’s a normal hotwash. Did we forget anything? And they’re gonna take a look.”
This is just the latest in a series of recent sewer-related incidents across New York City. There’s even been a recent similar incident on Long Island.
Police sources have previously said these sewer intruders may be either treasure hunters or urban explorers. Several men faced criminal mischief and burglary charges in a similar incident in Brooklyn last year.
The city’s Department of Environmental Protection has repeatedly warned people not to enter the sewer system, saying sewers “contain numerous hazards, including noxious and potentially deadly gases, unstable surfaces, flooding risks, and confined spaces.”
More from CBS News