Vancouver, April 26 (Reuters) – Tragedy struck a Filipino street festival in Vancouver on Saturday evening when a vehicle rammed through a crowd, leaving multiple people dead and several others injured, authorities confirmed.
Vancouver police reported that the driver involved has been taken into custody. Further information remains limited, with officials promising a detailed briefing around midnight local time (0700 GMT).
The incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. near the intersection of East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, where thousands had gathered to celebrate the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his heartbreak over the event in a post on X, stating:
“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 shared their condolences online.
Witness accounts suggest chaos unfolded rapidly. One bystander reported seeing a black vehicle driving erratically before plowing into festival attendees.
CTV News reported that Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party, had been at the celebration but departed just minutes before the crash occurred.
“This is so horrific, I don’t even know what to say,” Singh said, according to CTV. “I was just there… all I can think about are the faces of the smiling and dancing children.”
The timing of the incident has cast a heavy shadow over Canada’s federal election, which is scheduled for Monday.
On-site witnesses described devastating scenes.
Yoseb Vardeh, a co-owner of the Bao Buns food truck, recounted to Postmedia:
“All I heard was an engine revving. When I looked out, there were bodies lying everywhere,” he said, his voice breaking with emotion.
“The driver sped through the entire block, heading straight down the middle.”
Officials have yet to release the number of confirmed fatalities or identify the victims. The Vancouver Police Department continues its investigation and has called for anyone with footage or information to come forward.