At least nine people lost their lives and several more were injured on Saturday night in the Canadian city of Vancouver, after a driver rammed a crowd that participated in the Lapu Lapu Festival. Local authorities confirmed the arrest of a 30 -year -oldidentified as a “solitary suspect” known by the police.
“So far, we can confirm the death of nine people after a man run over a crowd at the Lapu Festival Lapu last night. We accompany all those affected by this tragic incident in our regret, “Vancouver police said through social network X.
In the same message, it was pointed out that the driver of the vehicle, described by witnesses as a black Audi SUV, is already in custody and more details were promised as the investigation progresses.
Tragedy at a Vancouver festival: nine dead after being overwhelmed by a driver
The tragic event took place in the Sunset on Fraser neighborhoodwhere members of the Philippine community had gathered to celebrate Lapu Lapu Day, a commemorative holiday of the Filipino indigenous leader. The mayor of Vancouver, Ken Sim, expressed his condolences through social networks: “Our thoughts are with all those affected and with the Filipina community of Vancouver at this incredibly difficult time “.
In the first press conference after the incident, the Chief Acting of the Vancouver Police, Steve Rai, identified the detainee as a man in his 30s, a resident of the city and with a history known by the security forces.
RAI did not provide an exact number of injured, since they were transferred to different hospitals in the region. However, the Police ruled out that the incident was an act of terrorism, according to a message posted on their X account.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney also expressed his dismay through a message on the same social network: “I am devastated when listening to the horrible events at the Lapu Festival in Vancouver tonight. I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of the deceased and injuredto the Filipino-Canadian community and all in Vancouver. We are mourning with you. We are closely following the situation and grateful to our lifeguards for their rapid action. “
The Prime Minister of the Province of Columbia Britanic, David Eby, and the leader of the new Democratic Party (NDP), Jagmeet Singh, also expressed their shock and sent their condolences to the victims and the Philippine community.
A festival security guard, Jen Idaba-Coasto, described a chaotic scene, with “bodies everywhere”. A witness reported having seen a black vehicle circulating erratically before the outrage, while an operator of a food truck, Yoseb Vardeh, said he had left his vehicle and see “corpses everywhere.” “The vehicle toured the entire block and headed directly to the center of the festival,” he added.
Extended photographs showed the massive presence of emergency equipment in the place, where thousands of people had previously met to enjoy a parade, film projections, dances and a concert with members of Black Eyed Peas.
This tragic incident occurs a few hours after the parliamentary elections that will be held this Monday in Canada. Carney’s rival, Pierre Poilievre, declared himself “shocked” and sent his condolences to the Philippine community and the victims of this “meaningless attack.”
International reactions did not wait. King Carlos III of Great Britain expressed his deep consternationlike the high representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, who was “horrified” by the event and sent their thoughts to the victims, their families and the community of Vancouver.
Source: Ambito
