Several people were killed and many others injured when a car drove into a crowd celebrating at the Filipino Street Festival in Vancouver, Canada, according to police reports.
Thousands of people were attending the festival at the time of the incident. According to Al Jazeera, the event took place around 8 PM local time on Saturday in the Sunset on Fraser area. Police have confirmed that a 30-year-old driver has been taken into custody.
Eyewitnesses told Canadian television channel CTV News that just before the accident, they noticed a black car moving unusually through the festival area. Videos circulated on social media showed injured and unconscious people lying on the streets while rescuers and bystanders rushed to help.
The injured were taken to multiple nearby hospitals, which had been alerted in advance to prepare for mass casualties. The Vancouver Sun reported that thousands were present at the festival site during the incident.
Yoseb Verdeh, co-owner of Bao Buns food truck, described the scene to Postmedia, saying, “I didn’t see the driver, I just heard the roar of the engine. When I rushed out from the food truck, I saw bodies and injured people all over the street. The vehicle went straight down the block through the crowd.”
In response to the tragedy, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said, “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident that occurred during today’s Lapu Lapu Day celebration. This festival was held in honor of the 16th-century Filipino anti-colonial leader Lapu Lapu.”
Mayor Sim added, “Our thoughts and sympathies are with all those affected, particularly the Filipino community in Vancouver.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his deep sorrow upon hearing the news. He said, “My deepest condolences go out to the families of the deceased and injured, the Filipino-Canadian community, and all the people of Vancouver. We stand with you in your grief.” The Prime Minister also stated that the federal government is closely monitoring the investigation into the incident.
It is noteworthy that Canada is scheduled to hold its federal elections on April 29, and the country has already heightened security measures in preparation.