Suspicious package brings Vancouver based Explosives Unit to Prince Rupert

What can only be described as a rather strange incident took place downtown over the weekend, with the Prince Rupert detachment of the RCMP called to respond to a report of a suspicious package found in an alleyway in the 300 block between 3rd and 2nd Avenues.

 Upon arrival to the call for service,  members examined the immediate area, locating the package in question and then securing the area, while Explosives Disposal members were brought in from Vancouver.

According to details provided Monday to radio station CFNR, the package was first reported to the RCMP around 3 PM on Sunday, with responding members then closing off the alley to ensure public safety.

Upon its arrival in the city, the Explosives Unit transported the package to an undisclosed safe location and then detonated it, as there was no secondary explosion, investigators believe that the package did not present a threat.

An alleyway in the 300 block between 2nd and 3rd Avenue West was secured
by the RCMP on Sunday while a report of a suspicious package was dealt with

The closure and securing of the alleyway however set off a chain reaction on social media with speculation taking hold that a body had been discovered in the alleyway.

A situation that perhaps could have been nipped in the bud, had there been some information provided  through the detachment website,  offering up some background to the nature of the incident and the then in progress Police operation.

Two days after the incident, the official RCMP information site for the city still has no background information on the nature of the suspicious package, or indication as to the status of the investigation into the incident.

Thus far, the only information that has been released in relation to the Sunday incident, was that which was provided to CFNR, you can review their story here. 

More items from our Northwest Emergency Service files can be found on our archive page.