9 dead after SUV drives into crowd at Vancouver festival

New Delhi, Apr 27: Nine people have been confirmed dead and several others injured after a man drove an SUV into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Day festival on Sunday evening, Vancouver police said. Acting Police Chief Steve Rai described it as a “mass casualty” event, with multiple fatalities and injuries.

He said authorities are working to contact victims’ families and cautioned that casualty numbers could change.

A 30-year-old suspect, known to police in unspecified circumstances, was detained at the scene by bystanders before officers arrived. Rai confirmed the suspect acted alone, with “one suspect, one vehicle,” and said no further suspects are being sought. Police have not released details about the suspect’s criminal history, saying it would be “unfair” to comment while the investigation is ongoing. The attack occurred around 8 p.m. local time near East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street during a celebration organized by Vancouver’s Filipino community. Police said the festival had undergone a “robust security assessment” prior to the incident. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his condolences, writing on X that he was “devastated” by the tragedy and offering support to the victims, their families, and the Filipino Canadian community.