A number of people have been killed after a car was driven into a crowd at a street festival in VancouverCanadian police said.
Vancouver Police said “several people” were killed and “multiple others” were injured as a driver struck pedestrians at the annual Lapu Lapu festival on Saturday evening.
Police had still not confirmed exact tolls for either deaths or injuries hours after the incident, which took place shortly after 8pm.
“There are still family members who need to be contacted,” Vancouver Police interim chief Steve Rai told a press conference, adding that the police would share more information on Sunday morning.
The crash was being treated as a “mass casualty incident”, the police said.
Authorities have not yet said whether the incident was deliberate. Vancouver police wrote on X late on Saturday: “At this time, we are confident that this incident was not an act of terrorism.”
A 30-year-old male suspect has been taken into custody, Mr Rai said. He confirmed only one vehicle and one suspect were involved, with more details expected to be released soon.
The police did not clarify whether the suspect had a criminal record.
“It would be inappropriate for me to get into those kind of details at this point,” Mr Rai said, adding it would be “unfair” to make comments on whether the suspect was on bail.
In a post on X, authorities said a car “drove into a crowd at a street festival at E 41st Avenue and Fraser” shortly after 8pm local time (03:00 GMT Sunday).
“We will provide more information as the investigation unfolds,” police said.
Some unverified videos and photos show injured people lying on the street amid chaos and a heavy police presence. A black SUV with a crumpled front section could be seen in one of the still photos.
The crash occurred during the Lapu Lapu festival, which celebrates Filipino culture. The event featured live performances, food vendors and cultural displays, drawing thousands to the Sunset on Fraser neighbourhood.
This year’s festivities were part of the broader recognition of 27 April as Lapu Lapu Day in British Columbiaofficially declared in 2023 to acknowledge the significance of Filipino Canadians in the province.
The festival’s website posted a map of the area where the event was being held, which matches with the spot where the incident took place.
When asked whether the incident has anything to do with the upcoming federal election, Mr Rai said: “I don’t know anything about that.”
An eyewitness, Yoseb Vardeh, who is a co-owner of the Bao Buns food truck, told BBC World Service that the driver appeared to be going for “maximum damage” as he went “completely straight, right through the crowd” at about 100kmph (62mph) after the final live performance of the day.
He said the car struck several of his customers, adding that the driver tried to flee but was caught by people nearby.
“I just saw bodies underneath people’s food trucks, and husbands crying out for their wife, or their kids. It was just horrible,” he said.
NDP leader Jagmeet Singhwho was at the Lapu Lapu event in Vancouver before the incident took place – says he’s “horrified to learn” that “innocent people” have been killed and injured.
“As we wait to learn more, our thoughts are with the victims and their families – and Vancouver’s Filipino community, who were coming together today to celebrate resilience.”
Vancouver mayor Ken Sim said in a statement on X that he was “shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today’s Lapu Lapu Day event”.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time.”
Prime minister Mark Carney said he was monitoring the situation closely.
“I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening,” he wrote. “I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver.
“We are all mourning with you. We are monitoring the situation closely, and thankful to our first responders for their swift action.”
Pierre Poilievre, leader of Canada‘s Conservative Partycalled the incident a “senseless attack”, while the leader of the British Columbia New Democratic Party, David Eby, said he was “shocked and heartbroken”.
