A tragic incident occurred when a man drove his car into a crowd at the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver, injuring at least 20 people and resulting in nine fatalities. The event celebrated a Filipino national hero and was attended by thousands. The driver, a 30-year-old Vancouver man known to police, was apprehended by festival-goers after attempting to flee.
The Vancouver police stated that they are confident the ramming was not a terrorist act. The incident took place shortly after 8 p.m., prompting responses from officials, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Vancouver’s Mayor Ken Sim, both expressing devastation over the event. British Columbia’s Premier David Eby and other local leaders shared similar sentiments on social media.
Witnesses described seeing a black vehicle driving erratically before the attack, with one noting that approximately 15 people were lying on the ground immediately after. Jagmeet Singh, the leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party, had left the festival shortly before the incident and expressed his horror, imagining the frightened faces of children present.
The Lapu-Lapu Day festival, recognized officially in 2023, emphasizes the cultural contributions of the Filipino-Canadian community, which is one of the largest immigrant groups in British Columbia. Attendees had been enjoying food, performances, and cultural displays when the tragedy struck, disrupting what was meant to be a vibrant celebration. The community’s resilience was highlighted by city councillor Peter Fry, who emphasized that, despite the tragedy, the community would remain united.
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