Actually it probably is a technical issue. The NYSE already has a process called "the curbs" that halt trading if the market falls more than 5% (could be less). It's meant to prevent a crash like what happened in 1929, so the market cannot just fall to zero or lose significant value (broadly) in a single day. The curbs were in the day of 9/11 for example and other dates that have caused negative turmoil to the markets.

I doubt they'd create some fake issue when they already have a regular process in place to address these issues.