Several killed after vehicle drives into crowd at street festival, police in Vancouver say
A number of people have been killed and multiple others injured after a driver drove into a crowd at a street festival in Vancouver, police have said.
The driver has been taken into custody after the incident shortly after 8pm local time on Saturday, police added.
People were in the area near 41st Avenue and Fraser Street for the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party, named after a national hero of the Philippines.
Vancouver’s mayor Ken Sim said in a post on X: “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today’s Lapu Lapu Day event.”
He added: “Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time.”
Video posted on social media showed victims and debris strewn across a long stretch of road, with at least seven people lying immobile on the ground.
A black SUV with a crumpled front section could be seen in photos from the scene.
One witness told Canadian broadcaster CTV News he saw a black vehicle driving erratically in an area of the festival just before the crowd was struck.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a statement on X: “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. We are monitoring the situation closely, and thankful to our first responders for their swift action.”
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