Tragedy at Vancouver Festival: Vehicle Plows Into Crowd, Multiple Killed

A day meant to celebrate Filipino resilience turns into horror as a vehicle crashes into Lapu Lapu Day festivities; driver in custody, investigation underway.

Vancouver [Canada], April 27:
A celebration of Filipino heritage turned tragic on Saturday evening when a vehicle drove into a crowd at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Day Block Party, leaving several people dead and multiple others injured, according to Vancouver police and CBC News reports.

The devastating incident occurred shortly after 8 PM near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street. Vancouver Police Department (VPD) officials confirmed the driver is in custody, ruling out a hit-and-run scenario.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the VPD said, “A number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured after a driver drove into a crowd at a street festival at E. 41st Avenue and Fraser shortly after 8 PM. The driver is in custody. We will provide more information as the investigation unfolds.”

Emergency response teams rushed to the scene, where videos posted on social media showed multiple injured individuals being treated on the street.

Political leaders across Canada expressed shock and condolences. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he was “horrified” by the attack at the festival celebrating Filipino resilience. “My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and Vancouver’s Filipino community,” Singh posted on X.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim described the incident as “horrific” and extended support to the affected families. British Columbia Premier David Eby and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also conveyed their heartbreak and thanked first responders for their swift action.

The Lapu Lapu Day Block Party, now in its second year, honors the 16th-century Indigenous Filipino leader Lapu Lapu, who resisted Spanish colonization. Organizers had envisioned the event as a tribute to Filipino heritage and the spirit of bayanihan — the tradition of collective community effort.

Further updates from authorities are awaited as the investigation continues.