9 dead in attack on Filipino festival in Vancouver
A Filipino street festival on Saturday in the Canadian city of Vancouver took a horrific turn when a vehicle plowed into the crowd, killing at least nine people and leaving several others injured.
Police immediately ruled out terrorism after arresting the 30-year-old driver who, witnesses said, attempted to flee the scene but was held by festival-goers until police arrived.
Steve Rai, deputy chief constable of the Vancouver police department, said “One vehicle, one suspect” was involved in the incident.
He said the suspect was “known to police in certain circumstances” but did not elaborate.
The incident happened shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday (11 a.m. Sunday in Manila), near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street where the Lapulapu Day Block Party was held on the eve of Lapulapu Day.
“As of now, we can confirm nine people have died after a man drove through a crowd at last night’s Lapu-Lapu Festival,” Vancouver Police said on X.
The police were set to hold a press conference at 10 a.m. Sunday (1 a.m. Monday in Manila).
Seriously injured, unresponsive
The government of British Columbia recognizes April 27 as Lapulapu Day through a 2023 proclamation, commemorating the warrior chieftain from Mactan Island in the Philippines who resisted the arrival of explorers from Spain in the 16th century.
Thousands including from the Filipino community had attended the festival, and witnesses said they saw many people lying on the ground after the attack.
Vancouver-based Filipino couple Dennise Velasco and Diane Zapata said people were being carried off the street.
“I saw several people, and I saw a child who was loaded into the ambulance and was unresponsive,” Zapata told the Inquirer.
Citing initial information from Filipinos in the area, Velasco, who is also secretary general of Migrante-British Columbia, said around 25 to 30 people were seriously injured.
“Apl.de.ap had just finished performing around 8 p.m., so people, our fellow Filipinos, were already preparing to leave because there was a huge crowd,” he said.
Messages from Marcos, leaders
President Marcos has called on Filipinos worldwide to stand united in supporting the victims, their families and the Filipino community.
“I am completely shattered to hear about the terrible incident,” the President said, adding that the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver is coordinating closely with Canadian authorities.
Mr. Marcos also urged Filipinos in Vancouver and nearby areas to remain vigilant, to cooperate with authorities, and to reach out to the consulate for any assistance they might need.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney paused his campaign ahead of Monday’s federal election and said 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 monitoring the situation closely, and thankful to our first responders for their swift action,” Carney also said.
Britain’s King Charles also said through the X account of the Royal Family: “Both my wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the dreadful attack and utterly tragic loss of life in Vancouver, which took place as the Filipino community came together to mark the celebration of one of their most special festivals.”
Hotlines for victims
In its advisory, the Consulate General provided the following hotlines for Filipinos affected by the incident: +16046535858 (Assistance to Nationals); +16047673354 (Migrant Workers Office); and +18005630808 (Vancouver Police Department Victim Support).
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is ready to extend appropriate assistance to the bereaved families and will coordinate with Canadian authorities.
The Commission on Filipinos Overseas said, as “the agency that looks after the interests of permanent and long-term migrants, [it] is actively monitoring the situation.” —WITH A REPORT FROM MELVIN GASCON
