Bomb threats at Vancouver Airport and Waterfront Station on Sunday were confirmed to be false. Police believe both incidents were part of a swatting hoax.
On Sunday, two separate bomb threats—one targeting a flight at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and another at Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver—triggered emergency responses from police and airport authorities.
Both threats were ultimately declared false alarms, with officials now investigating them as possible “swatting” incidents, a dangerous trend involving hoax calls designed to provoke a major police response.
Waterfront Station Evacuated After 911 Threat
The first threat was reported at approximately 10:30 a.m., when an unknown caller phoned Metro Vancouver Transit Police claiming that a bomb had been planted at Waterfront Station.
Officers from both Transit Police and the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) quickly arrived on site and evacuated the station as a precaution.
A thorough sweep involving explosives-detection dogs—Scout and Dex—as well as a VPD drone, found no evidence of any threat. Transit services resumed shortly after 12:00 p.m. and no injuries were reported.
“There is no threat to public safety,” confirmed Const. Amanda Steed of the Transit Police.
Bomb Threat Targets Flight at Vancouver Airport
Shortly after noon, a second incident unfolded. Richmond RCMP received bomb threat emails directed at a departing flight at Vancouver International Airport. The emails were also sent to YVR staff and a local news agency.
The RCMP treated the threat with urgency, sweeping the aircraft and surrounding area.
“We found no credible evidence of any bomb on the plane,” said RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Brett Urano.
Only the flight in question was delayed, and airport operations were minimally impacted. No evacuations were necessary.
Authorities Suspect Swatting Behind Both Incidents
Police believe both threats may be linked to “swatting” — a criminal act where fake threats are made to draw armed law enforcement to a specific location.
“The RCMP takes threats like this seriously and believes these emails were a ‘swatting’ call,” Urano said.
Investigations into both incidents are ongoing, with authorities working to trace the origin of the phone call and emails.
Public Safety Not at Risk, Say Officials
While the threats led to momentary service disruptions, police stress that there is no ongoing risk to the public. Both incidents are being taken seriously, and officials remind the public that such hoaxes carry significant legal consequences and divert critical emergency resources.
Stay with Maple News Wire for breaking updates on this story and the latest public safety developments from across British Columbia.
