Vancouver: Tragedy has struck Vancouver as a driver ploughed into a crowd during a lively street festival, killing several people and injuring many others, according to local authorities.
The Vancouver Police Department confirmed the incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. local time near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street in the city’s Sunset on Fraser neighbourhood, where members of the Filipino community had gathered to celebrate Lapu Lapu Day.
Vancouver police stated that, “Several people have been killed and multiple others are injured.” Authorities confirmed the driver is currently in custody.
Witnesses described scenes of horror as the vehicle tore through the crowd. Yoseb Vardeh, a food truck operator at the festival, told Postmedia he heard the sudden revving of an engine before seeing bodies scattered along the street. He remarked that, “I didn’t get to see the driver, all I heard was an engine rev. I got outside my food truck, I glanced down the road and there were bodies everywhere. He went through the whole block, he went straight down the middle.”
Medias reported that a black vehicle was seen driving erratically moments before the collision. Thousands of attendees had gathered for the celebration, which honours Lapu Lapu, a 16th-century Filipino leader and national hero known for resisting colonial rule.
In a statement, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim expressed his condolences, stating that, “Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also responded to the tragedy, conveying that, “I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver. We are all mourning with you.” Authorities have launched a full investigation into the incident as the community reels from the devastating loss.
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