Multiple people were killed and many injured on Saturday after a black SUV plowed into crowds at the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver. The mass casualty incident took place near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street just after 8 p.m.
Police say a 30-year-old Vancouver man—“known” to officers—was arrested at the scene after festivalgoers subdued him. Authorities haven’t released exact figures on fatalities or injuries but said more details will follow on Sunday morning.
Prime Minister Mark Carney took to X around midnight: "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 echoed his sentiments online, as did NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, who left the festival minutes before the crash.
Lapu Lapu Day—named after a 16th-century Filipino hero—was officially recognized by British Columbia in 2023. Thousands had gathered to celebrate Filipino culture with food, music and dance when tragedy struck, turning joy into shock.
Canada heads to the polls on Monday, but for now, Vancouver residents are rallying around the festival’s organizers and victims, calling for unity and healing in the wake of this senseless act.
For global citizens, this tragedy underscores the fragility of public spaces and the resilience of communities that refuse to be defined by fear. Our thoughts are with the families and friends affected by this heartbreaking event.
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Multiple dead in Vancouver after vehicle plows into Filipino festival
cgtn.com
