A vehicle plowed into a crowd during the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver on Saturday evening, killing multiple people and injuring others in what authorities called a 'mass casualty incident.' Police apprehended a 30-year-old suspect at the scene, with investigations ongoing to determine the motive behind the attack.
The incident occurred at East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, where thousands had gathered to celebrate the Filipino cultural festival. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as an SUV struck attendees near food trucks, leaving victims lying on the ground. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed devastation over the 'horrific events,' while Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and British Columbia Premier David Eby vowed full support for affected families.
New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh, who left the event minutes before the collision, told reporters, 'This is so horrific… I just imagine the faces of the kids that I saw smiling and dancing.' The tragedy unfolded days before Canada's federal election, raising questions about public safety protocols. The annual festival honors Lapu Lapu, a 16th-century Filipino leader who resisted colonial rule, and gained official recognition in British Columbia last year.
