Several people were killed and multiple others injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd at a street festival in Vancouver on Saturday evening, the police said.
The incident occurred just after 8pm (local time) near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, where the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party was taking place. Police have stated that the driver is currently in custody.
The black SUV, believed to have driven through the festival, was seen with a crushed front hood and deployed airbags on the driver’s side, New York Post reported citing videos from the scene.
Images from the scene depicted a scene of devastation, with dozens of injured individuals receiving care from first responders and bystanders.
Mayor Ken Sim condemned the incident and said that there were “a number of fatalities.”
“I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today’s Lapu Lapu Day event. We will work to provide more information as soon as we can, but at this time
@VancouverPD have confirmed that there are a number of fatalities and multiple injuries. Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time,” he said.
Confirming the incident, City Councillor Rebecca Bligh said that the SUV driver drove into the crowd, and left multiple people dead.
“Horrific tragedy at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Festival: a driver of an SUV has driven into crowds, leaving multiple dead. Our city is in shock. Thinking of the victims, their families, and everyone affected,” she said in a post on X.
Lapu Lapu Day is one of the largest celebrations in the Philippines, and this was its second year being celebrated in Vancouver.
This comes just days before the federal elections in the country.
