Toronto police need help figuring out who built a mystery tunnel — and why

Toronto police are trying to get to the bottom of who built a large tunnel underneath York University, and they're asking the public for assistance.

The underground chamber was discovered in January, and police say they have absolutely no idea who made it or why. "I don't have any evidence that suggests criminality at this point," Deputy Chief Mark Saunders said during a press conference Tuesday. "But bear in mind I don't have the intent behind this at this point, that could change. I'm open to anything right now."

The mysterious tunnel is 6 feet, 4 inches high and 2 feet, 10 inches wide. It is 33 feet, 3 inches long, and has plywood-reinforced walls and ceiling. It had a light powered by a generator that was hidden in a separate hole 9 meters from the chamber, connected by buried wiring. Inside, investigators found gloves, food and drinks, a wheelbarrow, a rosary, and a Remembrance Day poppy, The Canadian Press reports. Police aren't sure how many people were involved in the building of the tunnel, but a Toronto construction company estimated it would take months to make, and likely took four or five people.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up