Canada's pre-election tragedy: Several killed as driver plows into Vancouver festival crowd
The festival, which commemorates a Filipino anti-colonial leader from the 16th century, falls this year on the weekend before Canada's election.
Signage for a polling station is displayed during early voting in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on April 19, 2025. Advance voting for the federal elections opened on April 18, 2025, with higher than expected voter turnout leading up to the long Easter weekend. Picture: ANDREJ IVANOV / AFP.
MONTREAL - Several people were killed on Saturday after a driver plowed into a crowd at a street festival in the Canadian city of Vancouver, local police said.
Authorities said the incident happened shortly after 8:00 pm (0300 GMT Sunday) in Vancouver's Sunset on Fraser neighborhood as members of the Filipino community gathered to celebrate Lapu Lapu Day.
The festival, which commemorates a Filipino anti-colonial leader from the 16th century, falls this year on the weekend before Canada's election.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a post on social media platform X that he was "devastated" by the "horrific events."
"I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver," he said.
"We are all mourning with you."
According to Vancouver police, "a number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured."
"The driver is in custody," they said on X.
Photos published by Canadian broadcaster CBC showed emergency crews at the scene as well as large crowds at the block party earlier Saturday.
Festival security guard Jen Idaba-Castaneto told local news site Vancouver Is Awesome that she saw "bodies everywhere."
"You don't know who to help, here or there. It's so shocking," she said.
British Columbia premier David Eby said he was "shocked & heartbroken" by the news, while city mayor Ken Sim said "our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver's Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time."
ELECTION SEASON
Saturday's event featured a parade, a film screening, dancing and a concert, with two members of the Black Eyed Peas featured on the lineup published by the organizers.
Lapu Lapu Day is celebrated in the Philippines in remembrance of indigenous chief Lapulapu, who led his men to defeat Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in battle in 1521.
The deadly incident comes a year after Canadian Nathaniel Veltman was sentenced to life in prison for running down a Muslim family with his truck on the street in Ontario in 2021.
The ruling in Veltman's case was the first in Canada to make a link between white supremacy and terrorism in a murder case.
Canadians go to the polls Monday after a frenetic election race where candidates have wooed voters on issues including rising living costs and tackling US President Donald Trump's tariffs.
Carney is favored to win after assuring voters he can stand up to Washington's barrage of sweeping tariffs.