'Nightmare': Internet Reacts To Video Of Eels Wriggling On Canada Airport’s Tarmac

A viral video has captured a startling incident at Vancouver International Airport where eels were seen scattered across the tarmac. According to reports, the eels were part of a shipment on an Air Canada Cargo plane that had travelled from Toronto to Vancouver. The footage shows a damaged box atop a stationary conveyor belt with half-metre-long eels slipping out and dropping to the ground. The video also shows about a dozen wriggling on the tarmac, while a person in the background screams as the shocking scene unfolds.

As reported by Daily Hive Canada, a spokesperson at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) revealed the incident involving the shipment of live eels took place on July 7. The spokesperson further informed that the eels were promptly gathered and safely re-packaged following the mishap.

”A shipment of live eels was spilt onto the apron surface while ground handlers unloaded an aircraft at YVR. Thankfully at this time the live eels were collected and repackaged safely, ” Tanya Crowell, communications specialist with Vancouver International Airport (YVR) said.

Air Canada told the portal that the shipment of eels arrived at YVR from Toronto. “The container accidentally spilled during unloading, allowing some of the eels to escape,” the airline informed.

Since being shared online, the video has gone crazy viral on the internet with reactions ranging from amusement to concern. One user remarked, “The stuff nightmares are made of!!!” while another added, “Freakin’ nightmare right there.”

A viewer commented “such a waste of good unagi, well I do hope they were saved and made it to the kitchen of some deserving sushi chef.”

Another pointed out, “Baggage handlers might be more careful if it was possible every item on a plane had snakes in it!”

Adding a humourous touch to the discussion, a user quipped, “How does that box get through security when I can’t bring mouthwash,” while another wrote, “With hindsight, I can see why the movie makers rejected “Eels On A Runway”.”

Expressing concern, someone criticised, “These are eels, not snakes, and it’s so freaking cruel to leave the box spilling more to die in agony on the hot tarmac. This is so heartbreaking to see. Poor eels.”

An individual shared, “They’re eels. Why is no one going to put them back into water? The box they are in suggests they knew what was inside.”

The airline didn’t comment on the cause but said the incident was accidental.