A tragic incident occurred during the Lapu-Lapu Day street festival in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday night when a driver crashed into a crowd, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. The crash happened around 8:14 PM local time at East 41st Ave. and Fraser Street, an area designated for pedestrians and food stalls celebrating Filipino culture.
Authorities apprehended the suspect, identified as a 30-year-old Vancouver man, shortly after the incident. Eyewitness Yoseb Vardeh, a food truck owner at the festival, described the chaos as he saw bodies on the ground after a speeding vehicle revved through the festival. Emergency services responded rapidly, cordoning off the area and treating victims.
Vancouver’s Mayor Ken Sim expressed his shock and sadness over the tragedy, emphasizing support for the Filipino community affected by this event. Deana Lancaster, spokesperson for Vancouver General Hospital, reported that the facility was treating several patients injured in the incident. British Columbia’s Premier David Eby confirmed his government’s support for local officials.
Prime Minister Mark Carney extended condolences on social media, mourning with those affected, while Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democrat Party, expressed horror over the events and offered thoughts for the victims and the Filipino community.
Lapu-Lapu Day honors the indigenous leader known for resisting colonialism, particularly noted for defeating the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. The day, recognized officially in British Columbia, celebrates Filipino heritage, which includes nearly 1 million individuals in Canada according to the 2021 Census.
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