A terrorist has driven a vehicle into a large crowd during a street festival in Vancouver, Canada, according to breaking news reports.
Nine people have been confirmed dead so far, and several others injured.
The driver was arrested after the incident at the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party.
However, despite the mass casualty event being a clear act of terror, police insist that it was “not an act of terrorism.”
Vancouver Police said a man drove into a large group of people at the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party near 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street.
The event is named after a national hero of the Philippines.
The force said a 30-year-old suspect, who is “from Vancouver” and “known” to them, was arrested at the scene.
Speaking at a midnight press conference nearby, interim chief constable Stave Rai told reporters the “lone suspect” was “taken into custody at the scene by the crowd” before police arrived.
He said there was “no further danger” to the public and there would be no change to security arrangements for Sunday’s Sun Run.
The Sun Run will see thousands of people take to Vancouver’s streets for a 10km race.
It was the second year the Lapu Lapu festival has been held, with J Rey Soul of the Black Eyed Peas listed among the performers.
Police said there were up to “a few thousand” people in attendance, although the crowd size was fluid.
Video posted on social media showed victims and debris strewn across a long stretch of road, with at least seven people lying immobile on the ground.
WATCH (WARNING: Graphic Content):
BREAKING: 🚨 TERROR IN VANCOUVER: MULTIPLE DEAD AFTER FESTIVAL ATTACK 🚨
🔴 Horror struck Vancouver as a driver rammed into crowds during the Lapu Lapu Day festival.
🗣️ “Bodies were flying… it was chaos,” witnesses say.
🔴 The driver — a 30-year-old Vancouver man — was… pic.twitter.com/p9lXxoZroS— Jim Ferguson (@JimFergusonUK) April 27, 2025
A black SUV with a crumpled front section could be seen in photos from the scene.
The front of the car of the SUV that was used to hit the crowd at Vancouver Lapu Lapu festival is completely destroyed from hitting people.
The driver didn't just stop after hitting one person he hit so many people the car broke down 😡#lapulapu pic.twitter.com/IrNtQo537x
— Kirk Lubimov (@KirkLubimov) April 27, 2025
One witness told Canadian broadcaster CTV News he saw a black vehicle driving erratically in an area of the festival just before the crowd was struck.
Another, Yoseb Vardeh, the co-owner of food truck Bao Buns, said in an interview with Postmedia he didn’t see the driver but heard “an engine rev”.
“I got outside my food truck, I looked down the road, and there’s just bodies everywhere,” he said.
“He went through the whole block, he went straight down the middle.”
Our prayers are with our friends in the Vancouver Filipino community after this terrible tragedy. pic.twitter.com/ypyIr9JdIE
— 🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 (@BlakeRichardsMP) April 27, 2025
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a statement on X:
“I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening.
“I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver.
“We are all mourning with you.
“We are monitoring the situation closely, and thankful to our first responders for their swift action.”
A post on the festival’s Instagram page said:
“We are still finding the words to express the deep heartbreak brought on by this senseless tragedy.
“We are devastated for the families and victims.”
Jagmeet Singh, the leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party, was among those at the event.
However, Singh left minutes before the vehicle arrived, according to CTV.
“This is so horrific, I don’t even know what to say,” he told the broadcaster.
“I was just there, and I just imagine the faces of the kids that I saw smiling and dancing.”
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