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Multiple dead at Vancouver's Lapu Lapu festival, driver arrested: What we know so far

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The Times Of Indiapublisher-detail-arrow
27th April, 2025 12:04 IST
Multiple people died and several were injured after a vehicle ploughed into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver on Saturday evening, according to local police.

The incident occurred around 8 pm (Vancouver time) near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street. Police have apprehended the driver and indicated they would provide additional details as the investigation proceeds.


The Filipino community’s Lapu Lapu Day festival was under way at the time of accident in the South Vancouver neighbourhood.

Lapu Lapu Day commemorates a Filipino Indigenous resistance leader who opposed Spanish colonisation in the 16th Century. This second annual street celebration in Vancouver was organised to recognise "the enduring impact on Filipino values, notably the spirit of bayanihan — the collective community effort."

What we know so far:

'Not an act of terrorism': Police

The Vancouver police department confirmed that multiple fatalities occurred when a vehicle crashed into a street celebration on Saturday in the Canadian city. However, they have ruled out terrorism as a possible motive.

"At this time, we are confident that this incident was not an act of terrorism," stated the police through their official X account in the early hours of Sunday.

Social media footage:

The social media footage, which is being circulated among people, showed emergency responders at the location attending to several individuals lying on the ground with apparent injuries.

In photographs captured at the incident site, a damaged black SUV was visible, displaying significant frontal damage.

'Devastated to hear, monitoring situation closely': Mark Carney

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his grief over the Vancouver street festival accident. He said he was devastated to hear and told Filipino Canadian community that they are mourning with them.

In a post on X, he said, "I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening. I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver. We are all mourning with you."

He also said the government is closely monitoring the situation, and is thankful to the first responders for their swift action.

'Shocked and deeply saddened'
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim posted to X, saying he was “shocked and deeply saddened” and that more information would be forthcoming “as soon as we can.”


"I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today’s Lapu Lapu Day event. We will work to provide more information as soon as we can, but at this time @VancouverPD have confirmed that there are a number of fatalities and multiple injuries. Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time," he said in a post on X.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh expressed on X: "horrified to learn of an incident at Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day celebrations that injured and killed innocent people." He extended his thoughts to the victims, their families and the Filipino community.


Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre stated on X: "shocked by the horrific news emerging from the festival at Vancouver. My thoughts are with the Filipino community and all the victims targeted by this senseless attack. Thank you to the first responders who are at the scene as we wait to hear more."

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