At least 11 people have been killed after cars were forced into crowds at a Vancouver festival, police confirmed.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said more than 20 people were injured in the incident, which occurred on Saturday at approximately 20:14 local time (03:14 GMT on Sunday).
A 30-year-old male suspect is in custody, and the Vancouver Police Department said “I am confident that this incident is not an act of terrorism.” An investigation into the incident is underway.
Police said the suspects forced him to pedestrians at the annual Lapu Lapu Festival, which celebrates Philippine culture on East 43rd Avenue and Fraser, south of the city.
Steve Ly, interim chief of Vancouver police, said at a press conference that there was a vehicle and one suspect involved in the incident. Mark Carney said police are calling it a “caraming attack.”
Yoseb Vardeh, the owner of a food truck that sells Bao Buns at the festival, told BBC World Service that the attack happened right in front of his van.
“This guy, he killed some of my clients,” he said. “There was someone waiting for the bread that was hit.”
Vardeh added: “I went outside the food truck and saw the bodies under people's food trucks, husbands screaming for their wives and children…it was just horrifying.”
Unverified footage posted on social media showed many police cars, ambulances and fire engines lying on the ground at the scene.
Police initially said nine people were killed in the incident, but that was fixed up to 11 people during the update Sunday morning.
Prime Minister Mark Carney changed the campaign event on Sunday 24 hours before the country's election to express his sadness.
“Last night, the family lost sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. Those families live the nightmares of every family,” said Carney, the liberal leader.
“I know I'll join all Canadians in mourning with you.”
According to liberal sources, a massive rally with thousands of registered supporters in Calgary and Richmond, British Columbia was cancelled to reflect “as a proper respectful approach and day progresses.”
There is a focused engagement in smaller communities in Saskatoon and Edmonton.
Sources said there was “continued conversations between Vancouver and British Columbia authorities.”
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said he was “shocked and deeply saddened by the horrifying incident,” adding that “his idea is between people affected during this incredibly difficult time and the Filipino community in Vancouver.”
Peter Fry, one of Vancouver's city councillors, told the BBC that local residents are struggling to deal with what happened.
“This celebration was a huge, fun, lively, family-friendly street party, and a great event. It was so fast and unexpectedly, I think our entire city is shocked,” he said.
Harjit Sajan, who represents Vancouver South as a liberal lawmaker but has not sought reelection this year, described the event as “absolutely tragic” and said he would “support the community as much as possible.”
Lapu Lapu Day is celebrated annually in the Philippines on April 27th, commemorating Lapu-Lapu, a national hero who resisted Spanish colonization.
The festival was officially established in 2023 in Vancouver, home to 141,230 Canadians of Filipino descent.
Philippine President Ferdinand “Bonbon” Marcos Jr. said he was “smashed to hear about the horrifying incident,” adding that the Philippine Consulate General will work with Canadian authorities to ensure the tragedy has been thoroughly investigated.
King Charles III, who also heads Canada, said he and Queen Camilla were “deeply saddened to learn of the horrific attacks in Vancouver and the totally tragic loss of life.”
He added in a statement: “Our hearts and prayers are directed at all those whose lives have been shattered by such a hopeless tragedy, sending us the deepest sympathy for many in Canada in the most painful times.”
Leaders of various Canadian political parties also share the meaningful message of sadness.
Canadian Conservative leader Pierre Polyave called the incident a “meaningless attack,” and said David Ebby, the leader of the New Democrats in British Columbia, was “shocked and heartbroken.”
Jagmeet Singh, the new Democratic leader, attended the festival, but was not present when the incident occurred – said that innocent people were killed and injured, “terrifying to learn.”
“While we wait to learn more, our idea is with the victims and their families, and the Filipino community in Vancouver, whom we came together today to celebrate resilience,” he added.
Singh, Poilievre and Carney are all operating in the federal elections in Canada on Monday. The Burnaby Central constituency in Singh is just east of where the incident occurred.
