Police have reopened a Via Rail Station in East Vancouver after determining a number of suspicious packages discovered inside Tuesday afternoon contained only camping gear.
Const. Brian Montague said three large backpacks were found unattended in Pacific Central Station, located on Station St. and Terminal Ave., at around 12:15 p.m., and officers were unable to find the owners in the building or surrounding areas.
The busy train station was evacuated and closed down for hours as an Explosives Disposal Unit was sent in to X-ray the packages.
“What turned out to be propane fuel and some pots and pans, through an X-ray machine looks very suspicious to us,” Montague said. “Turns out it’s camping gear. Nothing suspicious about it.”
Authorities eventually determined that tourists had dropped the bags off in the building and left.
Montague said dozens of officers responded to the incident, and a large, unconfirmed number of passengers were inconvenienced or had travel plans disrupted. One incoming train from Seattle was stalled just outside of the city for several hours.
Police will determine the full extent of the fallout before deciding whether to recommend charges against the travellers who left the backpacks.
“Please don’t do this. Make sure that you properly store your bags. Don’t leave them unattended, especially at a very public place like this,” Montague said.
