Images from the scene show the police investigating a black SUV which has its hood crumpled and engine underneath exposed.
At least nine people have been killed and several others injured after a car drove into a crowd during a street festival in Vancouver, local police said on Sunday.
The driver has been taken into custody.
“We will provide more information as the investigation unfolds,” the police force added.
Images from the scene show the police investigating a black SUV which has its hood crumpled and engine underneath exposed.
Vancouver Police secure the scene where a car drove into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver on April 26, 2025. The Canadian Press/Rich Lam
One witness told CTV News he saw a black vehicle driving erratically in the area of the festival just before the crowd was struck.
The Vancouver Sun reported that thousands of people were in the area. Fraser Street was filled with food trucks and people at the time of the attack.
“I didn’t get to see the driver, all I heard was an engine rev,” Yoseb Vardeh, co-owner of food truck Bao Buns, said in an interview with Postmedia.
“I got outside my food truck, I looked down the road and there’s just bodies everywhere,” Vardeh said, his voice breaking. ”He went through the whole block, he went straight down the middle.”
“We will work to provide more information as soon as we can,” he said.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time.”
“We are in contact with the City of Vancouver and will provide any support needed,” Eby said. “My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “devastated” to hear about the “horrific events” at the festival.
“We are monitoring the situation closely, and thankful to our first responders for their swift action.”
“My thoughts are with the Filipino community and all the victims targeted by this senseless attack,” he said.
“Thank you to the first responders who are at the scene as we wait to hear more.”
Vancouver Police secure the scene where a car drove into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver Saturday April 26, 2025. The Canadian Press/Rich Lam
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he was “horrified” by the incident.
“As we wait to learn more, our thoughts are with the victims and their families – and Vancouver’s Filipino community, who were coming together today to celebrate resilience,” Singh said.
The Lapu Lapu Day celebrates a Filipino chieftain in the 16th century who fought against the Spanish.
This is a developing story, updates will follow.
Reuters contributed to this report.
