Vancouver attack witnesses describe how SUV plowed into crowds leaving "broken bodies" lying across street
Traumatised witnesses have spoken of the horror they saw
when a black SUV was driven at high speed
into a crowd of people celebrating a Filipino festival in Vancouver.
Nine people have confirmed to have died but more victims remain in hospital.
The incident unfolded at 8:14 p.m. local time on Saturday where people were attending the Lapu Lapu Day festival,
the Vancouver Police Department
confirmed in a social media post.
Witnesses describe a black SUV
driving erratically
before speeding up into the crowds of people who had gathered for the street festival.
Abigail Andiso, who was enjoying an evening with friends nearby, said she heard two loud bangs before screams and yelling rang out.
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Vancouver attack leaves twisted remains of SUV that plowed through crowds as police reveal suspect was 'known' to them
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Horror as SUV plows into crowd at Filipino festival in Vancouver killing 8 including child
The visible damage to the SUV illustrates the brutality of the attack
(Image: X/@KirkLubimov)
On arriving at the scene she saw utter devastation.
"'There were bodies on the street. They were run over. Some were already dead on the spot,'
she told the Vancouver Sun.
Andiso rang 911 for help.
Her friend Dale Selipe, who was also present, saw severely injured toddlers and children and added: 'There was a lady with her eyes staring up, one of her legs was already broken. One person was holding her hand trying to comfort her."
Bodies lay at the scene, but the number of victims is still unknown
(Image: AP)
In a press conference, police confirmed a 30-year-old local man had been taken into custody as a suspect after being detained by angry bystanders.
They also added that he was "known to police in certain circumstances".
Policeannounced on X that they were "confident" the incident "was not an act of terrorism."
Foodtruck vendor Yoseb Vardeh, who was serving bao buns to revellers when the horror struck, has also spoken about the horrific scenes.
The celebrations before the attack
(Image: AP)
Talking about the grief of people witnessing their loved ones killed and injured in front of them he said : "I saw so many people, and they just couldn't believe what was happening.
"It was their wife, it was their mom, it was their kid.'
Speaking to the BBC world service he also added that the vehicle appeared to be going at approximately 100kmph (62mph).
"I think he was going for maximum damage," adding that some of his customers were among those killed in the attack.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and other Canadian political figures posted messages expressing shock at the violence, condolences for victims and support for the community celebrating its heritage at the festival.
'I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver. We are all mourning with you,' Carney wrote.
'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,' wrote Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party, who was at the festival earlier in the day.
The incident occurred as Canadians are set to go to the polls in the Federal elections on Monday.
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Irish Daily Star
27-04-2025
- Irish Daily Star
Vancouver attack witnesses describe how SUV plowed into crowds leaving "broken bodies" lying across street
Traumatised witnesses have spoken of the horror they saw when a black SUV was driven at high speed into a crowd of people celebrating a Filipino festival in Vancouver. Nine people have confirmed to have died but more victims remain in hospital. The incident unfolded at 8:14 p.m. local time on Saturday where people were attending the Lapu Lapu Day festival, the Vancouver Police Department confirmed in a social media post. Witnesses describe a black SUV driving erratically before speeding up into the crowds of people who had gathered for the street festival. Abigail Andiso, who was enjoying an evening with friends nearby, said she heard two loud bangs before screams and yelling rang out. Read More Related Articles Vancouver attack leaves twisted remains of SUV that plowed through crowds as police reveal suspect was 'known' to them Read More Related Articles Horror as SUV plows into crowd at Filipino festival in Vancouver killing 8 including child The visible damage to the SUV illustrates the brutality of the attack (Image: X/@KirkLubimov) On arriving at the scene she saw utter devastation. "'There were bodies on the street. They were run over. Some were already dead on the spot,' she told the Vancouver Sun. Andiso rang 911 for help. Her friend Dale Selipe, who was also present, saw severely injured toddlers and children and added: 'There was a lady with her eyes staring up, one of her legs was already broken. One person was holding her hand trying to comfort her." Bodies lay at the scene, but the number of victims is still unknown (Image: AP) In a press conference, police confirmed a 30-year-old local man had been taken into custody as a suspect after being detained by angry bystanders. They also added that he was "known to police in certain circumstances". Policeannounced on X that they were "confident" the incident "was not an act of terrorism." Foodtruck vendor Yoseb Vardeh, who was serving bao buns to revellers when the horror struck, has also spoken about the horrific scenes. The celebrations before the attack (Image: AP) Talking about the grief of people witnessing their loved ones killed and injured in front of them he said : "I saw so many people, and they just couldn't believe what was happening. "It was their wife, it was their mom, it was their kid.' Speaking to the BBC world service he also added that the vehicle appeared to be going at approximately 100kmph (62mph). "I think he was going for maximum damage," adding that some of his customers were among those killed in the attack. Prime Minister Mark Carney and other Canadian political figures posted messages expressing shock at the violence, condolences for victims and support for the community celebrating its heritage at the festival. 'I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver. We are all mourning with you,' Carney wrote. '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,' wrote Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party, who was at the festival earlier in the day. The incident occurred as Canadians are set to go to the polls in the Federal elections on Monday.
Irish Daily Star
27-04-2025
- Irish Daily Star
Vancouver attack leaves twisted SUV that plowed into crowds as police say suspect was 'known' to them
A car has plowed into revelers at a street festival in South Vancouver, Canada, killing eight people at the event celebrating Filipino culture, police said. The vehicle drove onto the street at 8:14 p.m. Saturday where people were attending the Lapu Lapu Day festival , the Vancouver Police Department confirmed in a social media post. Pictures on social media show a black SUV with a crumpled front section and a completely mangled hood. Police said: "As of now, we can confirm nine people have died after a man drove through a crowd at last night's Lapu Lapu Festival. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic incident." Read More Related Articles Horror as SUV plows into crowd at Filipino festival in Vancouver killing 8 including child Read More Related Articles Hydrangeas will flourish this spring thanks to overlooked natural ingredient Vancouver police examine the black SUV suspected to be involved at a scene (Image: AP) They confirmed a 30-year-old Vancouver man was arrested at the scene and the department's Major Crime Section is overseeing the investigation. Acting Police Chief Steve Rai said the suspect was known to police in 'certain circumstances'. In a post on X, Vancouver Police confirmed 'At this time, we are confident that this incident was not an act of terrorism.' They also provided an update for residents who require help contacting family and friends after the horrific attack: 'A 24-hour assistance center has been established at the Douglas Park Community Centre, 801 West 22nd Avenue. 'Vancouver Police officers and Victim Services professionals have been deployed to help anyone who has not been able to contact a loved one who was at the Lapu Lapu Festival. If you are not able to attend in person, please call 604-717-3321.' A video posted on social media showed victims and debris strewn across a long stretch of road, with at least seven people lying motionless on the ground. Prime Minister Mark Carney posted messages expressing his shock at the violence, as well as condolences for the victims. Bodies lay at the scene, but the number of victims is still unknown (Image: AP) He wrote, 'I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver. We are all mourning with you.' Leader of the New Democratic Party, Jagmeet Singh, who was at the festival earlier in the day, also offered words of condolence. '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.' Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre wrote, 'My thoughts are with the Filipino community and all the victims targeted by this senseless attack. Thank you to the first responders who are at the scene as we wait to hear more,' The premier of British Columbia, David Eby, based in the province where Vancouver is located, also expressed his shock, saying, 'We are in contact with the City of Vancouver and will provide any support needed.'
Times
27-04-2025
- Times
Vancouver crash: nine dead after car drives into crowd
Nine people died and 'multiple others' were injured when a car drove into a crowd at a Filipino street party in Vancouver, Canada, police have said. A man in dark SUV drove into a large crowd of people attending the Lapu Lapu Day festival near East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street at about 8.14pm local time (4.14am BST) on Saturday, the force said. The suspected driver, a 30-year-old Vancouver man, was initially taken into custody by people at the scene before being arrested. Police said he was a 'lone suspect' known to them. The incident was described as a mass casualty incident, and the major crime unit is investigating, but police later said they were 'confident that this incident was not an act of terrorism'. The exact number of injured was unclear, but witnesses described seeing 'bodies everywhere'. Yoseb Vardeh, co-owner of a food truck called Bao Buns, told Postmedia: 'I got outside my food truck, I looked down the road and there's just bodies everywhere. He went through the whole block, he went straight down the middle.' Jen Idaba-Castaneto, a security guard for the festival, told the local news site Vancouver Is Awesome: 'You don't know who to help, here or there. It's so shocking.' Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada 's New Democratic Party, was among the attendees at the event, but left minutes before the vehicle arrived. 'This is so horrific, I don't even know what to say,' Singh told CTV. 'I was just there, and I just imagine the faces of the kids that I saw smiling and dancing.' One witness told CTV he had seen a black vehicle driving erratically in the area just before the crowd was hit. Lapu Lapu Day celebrations had officially ended at 8pm on an adjacent street. The festival honours Datu Lapu-Lapu, the Filipino chieftain who defeated Spanish forces led by Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan in 1521 and became a national hero. The government of British Columbia officially recognised April 27 as Lapu-Lapu Day in 2023, acknowledging the cultural contributions of the Filipino-Canadian community, one of the largest immigrant groups in the province. The centrepiece of the festivities in Vancouver is a multi-block street party in the Sunset neighbourhood featuring Filipino food and traditions, live performances and cultural displays. This year's event included a parade, a film screening, dancing and a concert featuring two members of the Black Eyed Peas. The organisers, Filipino BC, said: 'We are still finding the words to express the deep heartbreak brought on by this senseless tragedy. We are devastated for the families and victims.' Canada is set to vote in a general election on Monday after a fraught campaign dominated by the question of how to respond to President Trump's confrontational trade policies. Mark Carney, the Canadian prime minister, said: 'I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening. I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver. We are all mourning with you. We are monitoring the situation closely, and thankful to our first responders for their swift action.' Pierre Poilievre, the Canadian Conservative Party leader, said he was 'shocked by the horrific news', adding: 'My thoughts are with the Filipino community and all the victims targeted by this senseless attack. Thank you to the first responders who are at the scene as we wait to hear more.' David Eby, premier of British Columbia, said he was 'shocked and heartbroken' by the news and would provide 'any support needed'. The mayor of Vancouver, Ken Sim, added: 'I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today's Lapu Lapu Day event. We will work to provide more information as soon as we can.' In a statement on X police said: 'A suspect has been arrested by Vancouver police after several people were killed and multiple others injured at a neighbourhood street party in South Vancouver earlier tonight. 'At approximately 8.14pm on April 26, a man drove into a large crowd of people attending the Lapu Lapu Day festival near East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street. 'A 30-year-old suspect, a Vancouver man, was arrested at the scene. The investigation is ongoing and is being led the Vancouver police department's major crime section.'
