A man has been taken into custody after driving his SUV into a crowd at a Filipino street festival in Vancouver, B.C., officials and witnesses say. The crash killed and injured an unknown number of people.
The incident happened shortly after 8 p.m. on Saturday. A black SUV drove into a group of people attending the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party. The festival is an annual event that honors the Philippines’ first national hero.
Footage from the scene showed several victims lying on the ground. Some appeared to be dead. Others looked seriously injured. The victims were struck while walking or standing near food trucks lined up along the road.
“A number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured after a driver drove into a crowd at a street festival,” Vancouver Police said in a statement. “The driver is in custody. We will provide more information as the investigation unfolds.”
Emergency services quickly arrived at the scene. It is not yet clear if the crash was an accident or if it was intentional. However, Don Davies, a member of parliament for the Vancouver Kingsway district, called the incident a “horrendous attack” in a post on X.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim also spoke about the tragedy. “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today’s Lapu Lapu Day event,” he said. “Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time.”
The Lapu Lapu festival was taking place near the intersection of E 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street.
