One even clamped onto woman’s slipper: “You want to bring home to steam or not?”
Residents of Taman Jurong had an unexpected encounter in June when live crabs were spotted crawling around a multistorey carpark, leaving one woman in a minor pinch — literally — after one of the crustaceans latched onto her slipper.
The comical incident was captured in a viral Instagram video posted by user @ngwchng, who recounted the late-night discovery after driving his girlfriend home. The couple stumbled upon not one, but multiple live crabs scuttling about the parking area near Corporation Drive.
From Claws to Chaos: Crabs on the Loose
In the video, a crab can be seen hiding in a dimly-lit corner of the carpark. Just as the man questions whether it will make a move, the crab scurries across the driveway, prompting startled squeals from his girlfriend. Attempting to protect the crab from being run over, she nudged it away using her foot.
But the clawed chaos didn’t end there.
Heading upstairs, the couple encountered another crab — this time stuck to a woman’s slipper. The poor woman was trying to get to her car but found herself held hostage by a clingy crustacean. In a tongue-in-cheek exchange, the man joked she could bring it home for dinner. She declined and tried to pass the crab on to him instead.
The trail of crabs eventually led the couple to a van parked nearby with its door left open. Several plastic crates inside appeared to be the source of the escape, with one crate still containing a few restless seafood fugitives. At least four crabs were seen outside the vehicle, one of which sadly appeared crushed.
“No Parking, Sir!”: Singapore Humour On Full Display
Despite the bizarre encounter, the man kept spirits light, joking that the crab crawling over a road marking seemed to be ignoring the “No Parking” sign. “Sir, no parking sir, keep moving, no parking sir,” he quipped, in classic Singapore-style humour.
The mystery of the van driver remained unsolved, as the couple had no way of contacting the owner. Left with no choice, they simply ensured the crabs were out of harm’s way before leaving them behind — and hopefully out of the path of oncoming vehicles.
Online Reaction: “Only in Singapore!”
The incident quickly spread online, with netizens amused by the strange sight. Some joked about seafood escaping before dinner, while others questioned how the crates were left unsecured in the first place.
While no official statement has been issued, netizens speculated the van belonged to a seafood supplier who had likely made a delivery nearby or was preparing to. Whatever the reason, the lack of supervision allowed the adventurous crabs to embark on their late-night escape.
This strange yet oddly wholesome event serves as a reminder — in Singapore, you never know what you’ll find in a carpark. From clamping claws to friendly banter, it’s just another day in the heartlands.