Several dead, others injured as driver rams into crowd at Canada's Vancouver festival

A devastating incident occurred on Saturday night at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Festival when a driver drove into a crowd of festival-goers, resulting in several fatalities and injuries. The event, which was held to celebrate Filipino heritage and culture, took place at East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, with the attack happening just after 8 pm local time. The Vancouver Police Department confirmed that the driver was apprehended at the scene, although their identity has not been disclosed, and the exact number of casualties has not been confirmed.

Eyewitnesses shared chilling footage of the aftermath, showing bodies scattered across the street and several injured individuals receiving assistance from bystanders. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene to help the wounded. The vehicle involved, a black SUV, was found near a blue truck with a crushed bonnet, suggesting the severity of the crash. Some of the images depicted people tending to the injured as others screamed in disbelief.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim expressed his shock and sorrow in a statement, describing the incident as "horrific." He acknowledged the pain being felt by the community and stated that the city would work to provide more information as the investigation unfolds. “Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time,” the mayor added.

Political leaders across Canada also reacted to the tragic event. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, who had attended the festival earlier in the evening, said he was “horrified” by the incident. “I am horrified to learn of an incident at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Day celebrations that injured and killed innocent people,” Singh wrote. Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre expressed similar sentiments, condemning the attack as “senseless” and extending his thoughts to the victims and their families.

While the motive behind the attack remains unclear, the use of vehicles to target crowds has become a growing concern in many cities worldwide, including in North America and Europe. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident and will release further details as more information becomes available.