At least 11 killed after car driven through Vancouver festival

Tragedy Strikes Vancouver: At Least 11 Killed After Car Plows Through Festival

After a speeding vehicle plowed through a crowded street event at a summer festival in Vancouver, British Columbia, at least 11 people were killed and dozens were injured in what the authorities are calling one of the deadliest vehicular incidents in the city's history. Chaos and Carnage

The incident occurred on Saturday evening during the annual Vancouver International Street Festival, a popular event featuring food stalls, live music, and cultural performances. Witnesses described a moment of terror as a dark-colored sedan suddenly accelerated into pedestrian-only zones, striking people indiscriminately.

Mark Reynolds, a vendor at the festival, stated, "It happened so quickly—one second people were laughing, the next there were screams and bodies everywhere." “I saw the car just mowing through the crowd. It was like something out of a nightmare.”

Emergency responders rushed to the scene within minutes, transporting the injured to nearby hospitals. Vancouver General Hospital later confirmed that at least 11 people had died, including two children, while over 30 others suffered serious injuries.

Driver in Custody, Motive Unclear

Police quickly apprehended the driver, identified as a 39-year-old local man, who reportedly made no attempt to flee. Investigators have not yet determined whether the act was intentional or accidental, though early reports suggest the driver may have suffered a medical emergency before losing control.

Adam Palmer, the Chief Constable of the Vancouver Police Department, stated, "We are treating this as a major crime scene until we can rule out foul play." “Our hearts go out to the victims and their families during this unimaginable tragedy.”

A mourning community Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart declared a citywide day of mourning, urging residents to come together in solidarity. Near the crash site, a temporary memorial with notes, flowers, and candles in memory of the victims has emerged. “This was supposed to be a celebration of our city’s diversity and spirit,” Stewart said. “Instead, we are left grieving. But Vancouver is strong, and we will support each other through this darkness.”

Questions Over Festival Safety.

The tragedy has sparked urgent discussions about event safety measures, particularly regarding vehicle barriers at public gatherings. Some attendees claimed there were insufficient roadblocks to prevent such an incident.

“We need to rethink how we protect pedestrians at these events,” said transportation safety advocate Lisa Tran. “This should never happen again.”

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage and witness statements while forensic teams examine the vehicle. Police have not ruled out terrorism but say there is no current evidence suggesting a coordinated attack.

As Vancouver grapples with the aftermath, the focus remains on the victims—families shattered in an instant, a community in shock, and a city searching for answers.

Prime Minister Mark Carney changed his campaign events on Sunday, less than 24 hours before the country's national election, to offer his condolences.

"Last night, families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, a father, a son or a daughter, those families are living every family's nightmare," Carney, the Liberal Party leader, said.

"I know that I share your grief with all Canadians." According to a Liberal Party source, large rallies in Calgary and Richmond, British Columbia, with thousands of registered supporters, have been canceled "to reflect an appropriately respectful approach and tone as the day proceeds." In Saskatoon and Edmonton, smaller community-focused engagements are moving forward. Sources said there was a "continued conversation with Vancouver and British Columbia authorities" about heading to the city.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said he was "shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident", adding in a post that his "thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver's Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time."

Peter Fry, one of Vancouver's city councilors, told the BBC that locals were having trouble processing what had happened. "This celebration was a huge, fun, vibrant, family-orientated street party, and it was a fantastic event. "I think our entire city is in shock to see it turn out so horribly so quickly and unexpectedly," he said. Although he is not running for re-election this year, Harjit Sajjan, a Liberal MP who represented Vancouver South, said that the events were "absolutely tragic" and that he would be supporting "the community as best as we can." Lapu Lapu Day is celebrated every year in the Philippines on 27 April to commemorate Lapu-Lapu, a national hero who resisted Spanish colonisation.

The festival was officially set up in Vancouver - which is home to 141,230 Canadians of Filipino descent - in 2023. Its website says it "symbolises the cultural harmony and mutual respect that thrive in the province of British Columbia".

Philippines President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr said he was "shattered to hear about the terrible incident", adding that the Philippine consulate general would work with Canadian authorities to ensure the tragedy was thoroughly investigated.

"Profoundly saddened to learn of the dreadful attack and utterly tragic loss of life in Vancouver," said King Charles III, who is also head of state of Canada. "Our hearts and prayers go out to all those whose lives have been shattered by such a desperate tragedy, and we send our deepest possible sympathy at a most agonising time for so many in Canada," he continued in a statement. Leaders of different Canadian political parties have also shared messages of condolence.

Pierre Poilievre, leader of Canada's Conservative Party, called the incident a "senseless attack", while the leader of the British Columbia New Democratic Party, David Eby, said he was "shocked and heartbroken".

New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh - who had attended the festival but was not present when the incident occurred - said he was "horrified to learn" that innocent people had been killed and injured.

"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," he added.

Singh, Poilievre and Carney are all running in Canada's federal election on Monday. Singh's constituency of Burnaby Central lies just east of where the incident took place..