At least 11 killed after car driven through Vancouver festival

At least 11 people have died after a car plowed into a crowd during a festival in Vancouver, authorities have confirmed.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that more than 20 others were injured in the incident, which took place around 8:14 p.m. local time on Saturday (03:14 GMT Sunday).

A 30-year-old man is currently in custody. The Vancouver Police Department said they are confident the event was not terrorism-related, though the investigation remains ongoing.

According to police, the suspect drove into a group of pedestrians attending the annual Lapu Lapu Festival, a celebration of Filipino culture, held near East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street in the city's south end.

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Steve Rai, Vancouver Police’s interim chief, stated at a news conference that the incident involved a single vehicle and one suspect. Prime Minister Mark Carney described the event as a "car-ramming attack," according to police.

Yoseb Vardeh, the owner of a food truck selling bao buns at the festival, told the BBC World Service that the attack unfolded directly in front of his van.

"This guy, he killed some of my customers," Vardeh said. "People who were waiting for their buns were hit."

He went on to describe the horrifying aftermath: "I stepped out of my food truck and saw bodies beneath food trucks. Husbands were crying out for their wives or their children... it was just horrible."

Unverified videos shared on social media showed emergency responders — including police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks — at the scene, with several injured individuals lying on the ground.

Authorities initially reported nine fatalities, but that number was later revised to 11 in a Sunday morning update.

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Prime Minister Mark Carney altered his campaign schedule on Sunday—less than a day before Canada’s national election—to express his condolences following the deadly festival incident in Vancouver.

"Last night, families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, a father, a son or a daughter. Those families are living every family's nightmare," said Carney, leader of the Liberal Party. "I know that I join all Canadians in mourning with you."

Major campaign rallies planned for Calgary and Richmond, British Columbia, were cancelled out of respect, with a Liberal Party spokesperson stating the decision was made “to reflect an appropriately respectful approach and tone.” However, smaller community events in Saskatoon and Edmonton are continuing.

Discussions are ongoing with local authorities about a potential visit to Vancouver.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim expressed his grief, calling the incident “shocking and deeply saddening,” and extended his support to all those affected, especially the city’s Filipino community.

City councillor Peter Fry told the BBC that residents were still reeling from the tragedy. “This celebration was a huge, fun, vibrant, family-oriented street party. To see it turn so horrible, so quickly, has left our entire city in shock,” he said.

Former Liberal MP Harjit Sajjan, who previously represented Vancouver South, described the event as “absolutely tragic,” and pledged to support the community however he could.

Lapu Lapu Day, commemorating Filipino hero Lapu-Lapu’s resistance to Spanish colonization, is marked annually on April 27 in the Philippines. Vancouver’s version of the festival was launched in 2023, celebrating Filipino heritage and cultural unity. The city is home to over 141,000 Canadians of Filipino descent.

Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr said he was “shattered” by the news and confirmed that the Philippine consulate in Canada is working closely with local authorities to support the investigation.

King Charles III, Canada’s head of state, also issued a heartfelt statement alongside Queen Camilla: “We are profoundly saddened to learn of the dreadful attack and utterly tragic loss of life in Vancouver. Our hearts and prayers go out to all those whose lives have been shattered.”

Canadian political leaders from across the spectrum have shared messages of solidarity and sorrow. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre called it a “senseless attack,” while British Columbia NDP leader David Eby said he was “shocked and heartbroken.”

Jagmeet Singh, leader of the federal New Democratic Party, who had attended the festival earlier but was not present at the time of the attack, said he was “horrified” by the loss of innocent lives. “As we wait to learn more, our thoughts are with the victims and their families — and with Vancouver’s Filipino community, who came together to celebrate resilience.”

All three federal leaders—Carney, Singh, and Poilievre—are on the ballot in Monday’s election. Singh's riding of Burnaby Central is located just east of where the incident occurred.

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