WATCH: Manhole Explosion Sparks Panicked Stampede in Times Square

Nick GilbertsonApril 11, 2022

A manhole explosion in Times Square caused panic Sunday evening, sending a slew of people running in fear through the Manhattan streets, according to reports and video.

Twitter user @bdball posted a video of pedestrians fleeing the area after the explosion.

Watch Below:

Huge bang in Times Square around 6:50… followed by sirens and hundreds of people running away. Not sure what it was… but a lot of people on edge! #NYC #TimesSquare pic.twitter.com/nhTtSbKe4S

— Brad Ball (@bdball) April 10, 2022

“Huge bang in Times Square around 6:50… followed by sirens and hundreds of people running away,” the Twitter user said. “Not sure what it was… but a lot of people on edge!”

Breaking911 also tweeted a video of the chaos:

Officials say manhole explosion in Times Square the source of ‘loud boom’ that sent people running in panic

pic.twitter.com/tQ4TX0qLjb

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 11, 2022

Energy company Con Edison said the manhole exploded near 215 West 43rd Street shortly before 7:00 p.m., WABC reported. New York City Fire Department (FDNY) officials said after the bang, firefighters responded to blazes at three manholes, the New York Post noted.

The area was closed for a time while the fire department and energy company investigated the incident, according to the Post.

Times Square is currently closed off around 43rd and Broadway. Possibly bc of a manhole explosion but waiting for confirmation @CBSNewYork pic.twitter.com/RoKRQuCtyu

— Lisa Rozner (@LisaRoznerTV) April 10, 2022

In a statement, a Con Edison spokesperson said smoke emanated from one additional manhole and added that the explosion resulted from a cable failure, according to WABC.

“At this time, there have been no customer outages, and no reports of injuries or property damage,” the spokesperson said Sunday night.

The FDNY found increased carbon monoxide levels in the basement of 229 West 43rd Street, according to WABC. By 9:00 p.m., the department had mitigated the carbon monoxide levels in the 18-story office building, the Post noted.