Vancouver, Canada (Agencies): The death toll from a devastating car ramming attack at a Filipino festival in Vancouver has risen to 11, according to police. The incident occurred on Saturday night when a vehicle plowed into a crowd celebrating Lapu Lapu Day, an annual event that honors Filipino heritage.
The festival, held in Vancouver’s Sunset neighborhood, featured a vibrant multi-block street party with Filipino food trucks, cultural displays, and live performances of traditional dances. Thousands of attendees had gathered to celebrate the contributions of the Filipino-Canadian community and commemorate Datu Lapu-Lapu, a Filipino chieftain who resisted Spanish colonization in the 16th century.
Acting Police Chief Steve Rai described the tragedy as “the darkest day” in Vancouver’s history and confirmed that authorities do not believe the act was terrorism. The suspect, a 30-year-old man from Vancouver, was detained by attendees and taken into custody. Police revealed that the man had a significant history of mental health-related interactions with law enforcement and healthcare professionals. He is believed to have acted alone.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos, with some likening it to a war zone. Yoseb Vardeh, who was present, said the car drove “right through the crowd,” leaving people searching frantically for their loved ones. Another witness recounted seeing bodies scattered across the street as emergency responders worked to provide aid.
The festival organizers expressed their grief in a statement, saying, “We are collectively shattered but are coming together as a community.” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also shared his heartbreak, calling the incident a senseless tragedy while assuring citizens there is no active threat.
Authorities had conducted a risk assessment prior to the festival and found no threats to the event or the Filipino community. However, police and community leaders have pledged to reassess safety measures for future events while continuing their investigation into the attack.