CRAB Park in Vancouver is at the heart of a chilling controversy, as allegations of CRAB Park shipping container screams ignite public outrage.
A local resident claims to have heard people screaming from containers left idle at the nearby Centerm terminal during a port workers’ strike. The unsettling claim has gone viral, raising fears of human trafficking and sparking intense social media debate under the hashtag #OpenTheContainers.
Adding fuel to the fire is the recent forced eviction of a large homeless encampment from CRAB Park, leaving many questioning the city’s handling of vulnerable populations and whether these events are connected.
Key Takeaways:
Screams from Containers: Reports of screams coming from stationary shipping containers at the Centerm terminal in Vancouver have gone viral, raising serious concerns about potential human trafficking or individuals trapped inside.
CRAB Park Evictions: The controversy follows the forced removal of a homeless encampment from CRAB Park, leaving many questioning the whereabouts of the displaced residents.
Social Media Uproar: The hashtag #OpenTheContainers is trending as the public demands transparency and action, with the timing coinciding with a port workers’ strike leaving containers untouched for days.
Table of Contents
Strikes, Evictions & Unanswered Questions
Vancouver’s port workers have been on strike for over a week, leaving operations at a standstill and shipping containers sitting idle at the Centerm terminal.
Amidst this industrial action, the city took the contentious step of dismantling a long-standing homeless encampment at CRAB Park.
While the decision to clear the encampment was presented as a move to restore public access to the park, questions linger about the displaced residents and where they have gone.
Now, social media is alight with videos of a woman near CRAB Park alleging she has heard screams coming from the stationary containers late at night.
TikTok, in particular, has seen a surge of users sharing her account and raising concerns over the possibility of people being trapped inside the containers. These videos have fueled a groundswell of speculation and outrage online.
The Port of Vancouver looms over the CRAB Park encampment on Wednesday. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
A Troubling History
The recent reports of screams emanating from stationary shipping containers near Vancouver's CRAB Park have evoked memories of past tragedies involving human trafficking and smuggling.
One notable incident is the 2019 Essex lorry deaths in the United Kingdom, where 39 Vietnamese migrants were found deceased in a refrigerated truck container. Investigations revealed that these individuals had been smuggled into the UK under perilous conditions, leading to their tragic demise due to hypoxia and hyperthermia.
Another significant case is the 2008 Ranong human-smuggling incident in Thailand, where 54 Burmese migrants suffocated in a seafood container while being transported illegally. The victims were crammed into an airtight container, leading to their deaths from suffocation.
These incidents underscore the dangers associated with human smuggling and trafficking, particularly when individuals are concealed in shipping containers.
The current allegations in Vancouver, though unverified, have reignited public fears about the potential for such tragedies to occur again. The convergence of a port workers' strike, the dismantling of a homeless encampment at CRAB Park, and reports of screams from containers have created a narrative that many find unsettling.
While no official reports have confirmed the presence of individuals inside the containers in Vancouver, the situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and prompt action in addressing potential human trafficking scenarios. Authorities and the public must remain alert to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
The Public Response: #OpenTheContainers
Social media users have rallied under the hashtag #OpenTheContainers, demanding immediate action. Some have even suggested taking matters into their own hands to investigate the containers. This grassroots movement reflects widespread frustration and distrust in authorities, with many fearing a lack of transparency in addressing these claims.
Adding to the tension, the Canadian government has now expedited efforts to resolve the ongoing port worker strike, citing the economic strain caused by the labor disruption. To critics, the timing of this decision is suspicious, as it aligns with growing public outcry over the container allegations.
Vancouver's CRAB Park encampment, as seen June 19, 2024. Photo Mike Howell
Is CRAB Park Safe?
CRAB Park has become a flashpoint for some of Vancouver’s most pressing issues. Once a peaceful waterfront space, it is now at the center of debates about public safety, homelessness, and government accountability. Recent events—the forced removal of a large homeless encampment and eerie claims of screams coming from nearby shipping containers—have shifted the park’s reputation from serene to unsettling.
Safety here isn’t just about adding more lights or cleaning up debris. It’s about addressing the deeper issues that brought CRAB Park to this point.
When the city cleared the encampment, it didn’t solve homelessness—it simply pushed it out of sight. What happens when people are removed from public spaces without viable housing solutions? And what does that say about the city’s priorities?
Then there’s the disturbing claims of screams coming from containers near the park, left sitting idle due to a port strike. These allegations, now trending on social media, have raised alarm among residents and activists alike.
The silence from authorities so far has done little to calm fears. Are these screams real? Or are they a symptom of the larger tensions brewing in this part of Vancouver?
For now, CRAB Park feels less like a safe retreat and more like a symbol of unresolved problems. Joggers and dog walkers might enjoy the open space, but for those watching what’s happening from the sidelines—or for the people displaced in the name of “safety”—it’s a reminder that safety means more than just an empty park. It means addressing the root causes of why spaces like CRAB Park become battlegrounds in the first place.
3 Self Defense Tools To Keep You Safe
If you're concerned with the increasing wave of crime across Greater Vancouver like we are, here is a quick list of the best tools you can keep on you at all times.
Of course, all tools carried for the purposes of self defense in Canada are illegal, but if you just happen to be carrying say, bear spray, for protection against wildlife, and you happen to use it when someone attacks you, this defense will hold up in a Canadian court.
Our defense laws are crazy - read more about that here if it interests you: 10 Self Defense Tools You Can Legally Carry In Canada
For a close encounter, consider having a bear spray on you (which of course you're only carrying for "animals").
Consider carrying a personal alarm for safety - it lets off a high-pitched shriek until you plug that pin back in alerting everyone to the danger.
The Atomic Bear Tactical Pen has a tungsten tip for self-defense and to shatter glass, as well as a pen tip to operate as a normal pen.
TikTok Video
Curious to know what started it all? Watch the TikTok below to see what sparked the story.
Closing Thoughts: CRAB Park Shipping Container Screams
Whether these allegations are substantiated or not, they reflect the power of social media to amplify community concerns. They also highlight systemic issues surrounding homelessness, labor disputes, and government accountability. The truth behind the screams from the containers—if any—remains to be seen, but the call to #OpenTheContainers is loud and clear.
Vancouverites and concerned citizens worldwide are watching closely, demanding clarity and justice.
Stay tuned as this story develops. If you have insights or updates, please share them in the comments below.
Stay safe!
Related Reading: