A tragedy occurred in Vancouver – a vehicle crashed into a crowd during a festival, resulting in casualties and injuries
A terrible incident took place in the southern district of Vancouver on Sunday morning (April 27th Kyiv time), during the celebration of the Lapu-Lapu Day — a popular Filipino festival that attracts hundreds of participants and visitors every year. According to preliminary information from local police, several people were killed, and many others injured following a sudden vehicle attack on a crowd of celebrants. The incident happened on Saturday evening (approximately after 8:00 p.m. local time), when a traditional festive event was underway on the streets of the area. Witnesses report that a black SUV suddenly stopped and unexpectedly drove into a crowd of people celebrating Lapu-Lapu Day at high speed. Videos and photographs widely circulating on social media captured the chaos: debris, scattered belongings, and bodies on the ground — at least seven people lying motionless nearby. Eyewitnesses describe a horrifying scene — vehicle wreckage and numerous injured individuals, many requiring urgent medical assistance. Photos from the scene show a black SUV with front-end damage, likely the cause of this tragic event. Vancouver police have confirmed the driver’s detention and have begun investigating all circumstances surrounding the incident. However, law enforcement has not yet disclosed the exact number of victims, citing that information will be updated later. According to the police press service, this event is classified as a “mass casualty situation,” indicating the severity and scale of the consequences. Details of the tragedy are still being clarified, but it is known that multiple emergency response teams were promptly dispatched to the scene. The Filipino festival, Lapu-Lapu Day, held annually in Vancouver and one of the main celebrations for the local Filipino community, turned tragic this time. This solemn event, dedicated to a historic hero — an indigenous resistance fighter in the Philippines who fought against Spanish colonization in the 16th century, traditionally gathers hundreds of participants, including representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora and other communities. Lapu-Lapu Day was officially recognized by the authorities of British Columbia two years ago and is enthusiastically celebrated during this period — just before Easter and other spring festivities. Authorities are currently working to establish all the causes and circumstances of the tragedy, trying to determine the responsibility and motivation of the perpetrator. Preliminary data suggest that the driver was detained at the scene, but the motives behind his actions remain unknown. Police assure that more details will be provided soon, and all those affected will receive the necessary assistance. This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with public events and celebrations. In Vancouver, as in many other cities, recent years have been tense due to previous incidents, and this case again underscores the importance of safety during mass gatherings. The local community and event organizers are already calling for caution and increased attention to safety measures to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future.