At least 11 individuals have lost their lives and many others have been injured after a man with a background of mental health problems crashed an SUV into a crowd during a Filipino community festival in Vancouver, Canada, according to the police.
Authorities apprehended a 30-year-old man from Vancouver at the site of the tragedy on Saturday night, noting that he had a “significant history” of mental health-related incidents with law enforcement.
Officials indicated there is no indication of a terrorist motive.
“This marks the darkest day in our city’s history,” said Vancouver’s Interim Chief Constable Steve Rai during a press conference on Sunday.
He mentioned that numerous individuals were hurt, some with serious injuries, and cautioned that the number of fatalities could increase in the upcoming days and weeks.
The incident occurred just two days prior to Canada’s federal elections on Monday.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s campaign events were postponed on Sunday morning, although he resumed activities after offering condolences to the Filipino community.
“Last night, families lost a sister, brother, mother, father, son, or daughter. Those families are enduring a nightmare,” he expressed to reporters in Hamilton, Ontario.
“I stand with all Canadians in mourning with you. I know Canadians are united in support,” he added.
More than 12 hours after the incident, police had not yet determined a motive for the attack at the festival, which had no dedicated police presence or significant vehicle barriers.
“There were no known threats to the event or the Filipino community,” stated Rai, mentioning that over 100 officers have been dedicated to the investigation.
Witnesses reported that attendees at the festival initially chased down the suspect and held him until police arrived.
The injured were transported to several hospitals, according to the police.
The event occurred shortly after 8 PM in the Sunset neighborhood of Vancouver, known for its large Asian community, where the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party was being celebrated to honor a Philippine hero.
One witness reported to CTV News seeing a black vehicle driving unpredictably near the festival just before it struck the crowd.
Photos of the aftermath shared online depicted a damaged black Audi SUV with crumpled front fenders and a hood pushed up against its windshield.
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. voiced that he was “shattered by the news of this tragic incident,” extending his “deepest sympathies to the victims’ families and the vibrant Filipino community in Canada.”
“The lives lost will be remembered,” he remarked in a statement.
Local officials established a 24-hour assistance center at a nearby park facility to support those who had not been able to reach loved ones at the festival.
Online images showed victims lying on the pavement next to a row of colorful food trucks, while others attempted to assist them amidst debris, including what appeared to be a motorized scooter.
The festival, particularly celebrated in central Philippines, commemorates Datu Lapu-Lapu, a Filipino chieftain known for defeating Spanish forces led by Ferdinand Magellan during the Battle of Mactan in 1521.
In 2023, the government of British Columbia officially recognized April 27 as Lapu-Lapu Day, celebrating the cultural contributions of the Filipino-Canadian community, one of the largest immigrant populations in the province.
King Charles, Canada’s head of state, expressed his sorrow in a statement, saying, “Both my wife and I were deeply saddened to hear about the tragic attack and the significant loss of life in Vancouver during a celebration for the Filipino community.”
The festival’s centerpiece is a multi-block street party, showcasing Filipino cuisine, traditions, live entertainment, and cultural exhibits.
“I didn’t see the driver myself; all I heard was the engine revving,” stated Yoseb Vardeh, co-owner of a food truck called Bao Buns, in an interview with Postmedia.
