A popular mall in West Vancouver was evacuated Wednesday afternoon, as police responded to a suspicious package.
West Vancouver police confirmed the evacuation of Park Royal South Mall on Twitter just before 5:30 p.m.
“Emergency crews are on scene and are working to make the area safe. Please avoid the area for now,” police said.
Police said an RCMP explosives disposal unit had been deployed to examine the suspicious item, a backpack.
Social media users reported a heavy police presence at the mall, and “armoured vests deployed.”
Three hours later police tweeted that the backpack had been determined safe by the explosive disposal unit.
Witnesses tell Global News that the bag was not detonated and technicians determined it was not dangerous minutes after setting up on scene.