Several people were injured and casualties were reported after a vehicle crashed into a crowd during the Lapu Lapu Filipino Festival in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday. The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) confirmed that the driver is now in custody.
Attack at Street Festival
The shocking incident happened shortly after 8 PM at E. 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, where the popular festival was underway.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), 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 p.m. tonight. The driver is in custody. We will provide more information as the investigation unfolds.” Meanwhile, several videos showing the aftermath of the attack began circulating on social media.
Leaders React
New Democratic MP Don Davies also reacted strongly to the tragedy. He described it as a “horrendous attack” and said he is “praying for all the victims and their families.”
About the Lapu Lapu Festival
The Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party is a lively street festival that celebrates Filipino culture in Vancouver. It honors Datu Lapu-Lapu, the first national hero of the Philippines. He was the Indigenous Visayan chieftain who defeated Spanish colonizers in the historic 1521 Battle of Mactan.
Since 2023, British Columbia officially recognizes April 27 as Lapu-Lapu Day. The festival is organized by Filipino BC and the Sunset on Fraser Business Association. It takes place in South Vancouver’s Sunset neighborhood, known for its rich cultural diversity. The festival area extends from John Oliver Secondary School (East 41st Avenue) to East 49th Avenue, using the parking lots west of Fraser Street.
