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A tragic incident unfolded Saturday night at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Festival, where a driver plowed through a dense crowd, killing at least 11 people and injuring several others. The event was taking place near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street when the vehicle struck shortly after 8 p.m. local time.
Police confirmed the fatalities in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday. They added that multiple individuals were injured, and the driver has since been taken into custody. No motive has been publicly disclosed.
National and Local Leaders React
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shared his condolences on X, writing:
“I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening.”
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and British Columbia Premier David Eby also expressed grief and solidarity with the victims and their families in separate social media posts.
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Eyewitnesses Describe Chaos
The incident occurred during the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party, an annual community event attended by thousands. Eyewitness accounts described the chaos as a black vehicle sped erratically through the crowd.
“I didn’t get to see the driver, all I heard was an engine rev,” said Yoseb Vardeh, co-owner of the food truck Bao Buns, in an interview with Postmedia.
“I got outside my food truck, I looked down the road and there’s just bodies everywhere,” Vardeh recalled, his voice breaking. “He went through the whole block, he went straight down the middle.”
Political Figure Narrowly Missed the Tragedy
Among the attendees at the event was Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP). According to CTV News, Singh had left the festival just minutes before the vehicle attack occurred.
“This is so horrific, I don’t even know what to say,” Singh said, reflecting on the faces of the children he had seen “smiling and dancing” shortly before the incident.
Thousands Attended the Festival
The Vancouver Sun reported that thousands of people were in the area enjoying the cultural celebration, which included food trucks, performances, and family activities. The Lapu Lapu Festival, named after a Filipino hero, is a vibrant gathering for the city’s Filipino community and supporters of multicultural unity.
Driver in Custody, Motive Unknown
Vancouver Police have confirmed that the driver was apprehended at the scene or shortly thereafter, but details about their identity or motive remain under investigation.
Authorities are expected to provide updates following further questioning and as more information becomes available about the driver and possible connections to the victims or the event.
Community in Mourning
As Vancouver wakes up to the aftermath of the attack, grief and shock ripple across the community. With Canada’s federal election just a day away, the tragic timing has cast a somber tone nationwide.
Counseling services and community support efforts are being organized in Vancouver for those affected by the event, including witnesses, victims’ families, and first responders.
