At least nine people were killed after a driver plowed into a crowd at a street festival on Saturday in the Canadian city of Vancouver, local police said.
“A number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured,” Vancouver Police posted on X. “The driver is in custody.” Authorities have yet to release the names and identities of the fatalities and the suspect in the attack.
The incident happened as members of the Filipino community gathered to celebrate Lapu Lapu Day, Vancouver mayor Ken Sim posted on X.
The festival, which commemorates a Filipino anti-colonial leader from the 16th century, falls this year on the weekend before Canada’s election.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time,” Sim wrote.
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. expressed his and the First Lady’s “deepest sympathies’ to the families of the victims and to the Filipino community in Canada.
“I am completely shattered to hear about the terrible incident,” the President said in a statement.
He said the Philippine consulate general in Vancouver is working with Canadian authorities to ensure that the incident will be thoroughly investigated, and that the victims are supported and consoled.
Senate President Francis Escudero yesterday expressed deep sympathy and condolences to the victims and families affected by an attack during a Filipino street festival in Vancouver, Canada.
“There is no place in this world for such horrible acts of violence and I trust that the Canadian law enforcement agencies will leave no stone unturned to ensure that justice is served,” he said.
The attack occurred as members of the Filipino community gathered to celebrate Lapu-Lapu Day through a peaceful public event.
The senator urged Philippine Embassy and Consulate officials in Canada to provide immediate assistance to the victims and their families.
Police said the incident happened shortly after 8:00 pm Saturday (0300 GMT Sunday) in the city’s Sunset on Fraser neighborhood.
Photos published by Canadian broadcaster CBC showed emergency crews at the scene as well as large crowds at the block party earlier Saturday.
Festival security guard Jen Idaba-Castaneto told local news site Vancouver Is Awesome that she saw “bodies everywhere.”
“You don’t know who to help, here or there. It’s so shocking,” she said.
British Columbia Premier David Eby said he was “shocked & heartbroken” by the news in a post on X.
Election season
Saturday’s event featured a parade, a film screening, dancing and a concert, with two members of the Black Eyed Peas featured on the lineup published by the organizers.
“Our thoughts are with the victims and their families—and Vancouver’s Filipino community,” Jagmeet Singh, leader of the left-wing New Democratic Party said on X.
Lapu Lapu Day is celebrated in the Philippines in remembrance of indigenous chief Lapulapu, who led his men to defeat Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in battle in 1521.
The deadly incident comes a year after Canadian Nathaniel Veltman was sentenced to life in prison for running down a Muslim family with his truck on the street in London, Ontario in 2021.
The ruling in Veltman’s case was the first in Canada to make a link between white supremacy and terrorism in a murder case. AFP
Canadians go to the polls Monday after an frenetic election race where candidates have wooed voters on issues including US President Donald Trump’s tariffs and rising living costs.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is favored to win after assuring voters he can stand up to Washington’s barrage of sweeping tariffs.
His Liberal Party trailed the Conservatives by more than 20 points in most polls on January 6, the day former prime minister Justin Trudeau announced his plans to resign. With Ram Superable
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Several killed as driver plows into Vancouver festival crowd”