"SUV plows into Vancouver street festival, leaving 9 dead"

 

Tragic Incident at Vancouver Festival: Driver Rams Into Crowd, Nine Dead

A horrific incident unfolded Saturday evening at the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver, where a black SUV plowed into a crowd, resulting in nine fatalities and numerous injuries. The attack took place just after 8 p.m. near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, as the Filipino community festival was winding down after drawing up to 100,000 attendees throughout the day.

Interim Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai confirmed that a 30-year-old Vancouver man was taken into custody. Eyewitnesses described the incident as a chaotic scene, with one bystander saying the driver “just slammed the pedal down and rammed into hundreds of people.”

Vancouver Coastal Health declared a “code orange,” indicating a mass casualty event. While authorities did not immediately confirm the exact number of casualties, Vancouver police later confirmed that nine people had died by 3 a.m. Sunday.

The Vancouver police major crime section is leading the investigation, with Chief Rai assuring the public that the incident was not an act of terrorism. The festival, held in honor of Filipino resistance fighter Lapu Lapu, is a key event for the Filipino-Canadian community in Vancouver.

Kris Pangilinan, a journalist attending the festival, recounted the terrifying moment when the SUV sped into the crowd. “It was like a war zone... there were bodies all over the ground,” he said, expressing shock at the violence. Another eyewitness, Joshua Polintan, voiced his anger, questioning the motive behind the attack.

Support has been offered to those affected, with Filipino BC urging people to reach out to mental health services. The festival's organizers described the event as a “senseless tragedy” and reminded the community to check in with each other during this difficult time.

Politicians from various parties have shared their condolences, with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Liberal Leader Mark Carney, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre all expressing their sorrow. B.C. Premier David Eby, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, and other local figures also offered their support.

Despite the tragedy, the Vancouver Sun Run, scheduled for Sunday, will proceed as planned with enhanced security measures.

For those seeking assistance, victim services are available 24/7 at 1-800-563-0808 or 211-victimlinkbc@uwbc.ca.