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Multiple people killed as driver ploughs into festival crowd in Vancouver

Multiple people killed as driver ploughs into festival crowd in Vancouver

The Journal27-04-2025

SEVERAL PEOPLE WERE killed as a driver ploughed into a crowd at a street festival last night in the Canadian city of Vancouver, local police said.
'A number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured,' Vancouver Police posted on X.
'The driver is in custody.'
The incident happened as members of the Filipino community gathered to celebrate Lapu Lapu Day, Vancouver mayor Ken Sim posted on social media.
The festival, which commemorates a Filipino anti-colonial leader from the 16th century, falls this year on the weekend before Canada's election.
'Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver's Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time,' Sim wrote.
Police said the incident happened shortly after 8pm Saturday local time (3am GMT Sunday) in the city's Sunset on Fraser neighborhood.
Photos published by Canadian broadcaster CBC showed emergency crews at the scene as well as large crowds at the block party earlier Saturday.
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Festival security guard Jen Idaba-Castaneto told local news site Vancouver Is Awesome that she saw 'bodies everywhere.'
'You don't know who to help, here or there. It's so shocking,' she said.
British Columbia Premier David Eby said he was 'shocked & heartbroken' by the news in a post on X.
The event featured a parade, a film screening, dancing and a concert, with two members of the Black Eyed Peas featured on the lineup published by the organisers.
'Our thoughts are with the victims and their families — and Vancouver's Filipino community,' Jagmeet Singh, leader of the left-wing New Democratic Party said on social media.
Lapu Lapu Day is celebrated in the Philippines in remembrance of indigenous chief Lapulapu, who led his men to defeat Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in battle in 1521.
The deadly incident comes a year after Canadian Nathaniel Veltman was sentenced to life in prison for running down a Muslim family with his truck on the street in London, Ontario in 2021.
© AFP 2025

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‘Someone is going to be killed' – 17 police officers injured and six arrested after second night of violence in Northern Ireland
‘Someone is going to be killed' – 17 police officers injured and six arrested after second night of violence in Northern Ireland

Irish Independent

time2 hours ago

  • Irish Independent

‘Someone is going to be killed' – 17 police officers injured and six arrested after second night of violence in Northern Ireland

A further 17 police officers were injured following attacks by what has been called 'a baying mob with fireworks, masonry and petrol bombs'. None of those officers were hospitalised but it brings the number of injured officers across two nights of violence to 33. Liam Kelly, chair of the Police Federation for NI, said: "I want to condemn again what has happened the last couple of nights not only in Ballymena but, as we've seen, extended into other areas as well. It's completely deplorable that this is happening. We need these attacks to stop, and stop very quickly.' Calm was restored to the Ballymena area after 1am. Disorder broke out shortly before 8pm and continued for several hours with masonry and petrol bombs thrown at police officers and police vehicles. A number of homes and businesses were also attacked. During the disorder, a water cannon was deployed in an attempt to disperse the crowds, with officers also discharging a number of baton rounds. A car in north Belfast has been set alight while more than 20 baton rounds were fired by police at rioters in Ballymena last night. Some residents in Ballymena are marking doors to display their nationality while two water cannons are also at the scene of the ongoing 'serious disorder.' At least four armoured vehicles have been deployed in the Clonavon area as masked youths attacked officers in a second night of violence in the Co Antrim town. Unionist politicians have appealed for the violence to stop, with North Antrim MLA Paul Frew saying: "I fear that if this continues, someone is going to get killed." DUP leader Gavin Robinson, speaking on BBC's Nolan Show, told those rioting to 'back off' and 'leave the people of Ballymena alone'. He called for the violence to stop and referred to the peaceful vigil that preceded violence in the area on Monday night. 'They need to stop. They are destroying their own community, they are intimidating to the point of the end of their neighbours, they are not creating the space to have the arguments around the issues that have bothered them. Petrol bombs, bricks and bottles are among the missiles thrown at police. ADVERTISEMENT A PSNI spokesperson said the incident has escalated to 'serious disorder' and urged people to avoid the area. 'Police are currently dealing with serious disorder in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena,' they said. "Members of the public should avoid the area.' Around 300 protestors gathered in the area, close to where a teenage girl was alleged to have been sexually assaulted at the weekend. A peaceful vigil on Monday to support the girl and her family was followed by serious trouble. Two boys, both 14, were arrested and later charged with the attempted oral rape of the girl on June 7. Some Filipino workers in the area began putting stickers on their doors that declared their nationality, in an apparent bid to avoid attack. Some people also displayed Union flags, or hung them in windows. Monday evening's violence resulted in 15 police officers suffering injuries with four homes in the area being set alight. Meanwhile, a car was set alight in north Belfast as disorder flared in several areas of the city. Police in Newtownabbey said: 'Following a protest at Cloughfern, colleagues are aware of a group of young people who appear intent on engaging in some form of disorder. "So that we can avoid any allegation that we target local young people and attempt to criminalise them, I would ask for some assistance from friends, family or anyone with influence to help us protect these young people by diverting them away from the area and help us dispose of the fireworks to which they have gained access.' Translink suspended bus services in several areas of Belfast due to protests. Services on the Shore Road in north Belfast were at a standstill due to protestors blocking roadways along bus routes. Bus services along the Ravenhill Road between the east and south of the city were also diverted towards the Ormeau Embankment due to demonstrations. Protestors had blocked roads at Carlisle Circus, but have since dispersed. It's understood a crowd of around 50 gathered at the area holding placards saying: 'Protect Our Children.' Shankill Road bus services have since been restored the public transport operator said. A Translink spokesperson said: 'Metro 11 Shankill services have been restored. Shore road services currently suspended until further notice due to protests on the routes. 'Metro 6D services Diverted out and in via the Ormeau Road via the Embankment due to a protest on the Ravenhill Road.' A PSNI spokesperson said: "The Police Service of Northern Ireland is aware of several protests across Northern Ireland this evening, Tuesday 10th June. Officers are in attendance and will continue to monitor the situation."

17 police officers injured and number of arrests made after second night of violence in Ballymena and Belfast
17 police officers injured and number of arrests made after second night of violence in Ballymena and Belfast

Irish Independent

time3 hours ago

  • Irish Independent

17 police officers injured and number of arrests made after second night of violence in Ballymena and Belfast

A further 17 police officers were injured following attacks by what has been called 'a baying mob with fireworks, masonry and petrol bombs'. None of those officers were hospitalised but it brings the number of injured officers across two nights of violence to 33. Liam Kelly, chair of the Police Federation for NI, said: "I want to condemn again what has happened the last couple of nights not only in Ballymena but, as we've seen, extended into other areas as well. It's completely deplorable that this is happening. We need these attacks to stop, and stop very quickly.' Calm was restored to the Ballymena area after 1am. Disorder broke out shortly before 8pm and continued for several hours with masonry and petrol bombs thrown at police officers and police vehicles. A number of homes and businesses were also attacked. During the disorder, a water cannon was deployed in an attempt to disperse the crowds, with officers also discharging a number of baton rounds. A car in north Belfast has been set alight while more than 20 baton rounds were fired by police at rioters in Ballymena last night. Some residents in Ballymena are marking doors to display their nationality while two water cannons are also at the scene of the ongoing 'serious disorder.' At least four armoured vehicles have been deployed in the Clonavon area as masked youths attacked officers in a second night of violence in the Co Antrim town. Petrol bombs, bricks and bottles are among the missiles thrown at police. A PSNI spokesperson said the incident has escalated to 'serious disorder' and urged people to avoid the area. 'Police are currently dealing with serious disorder in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena,' they said. "Members of the public should avoid the area.' Around 300 protestors gathered in the area, close to where a teenage girl was alleged to have been sexually assaulted at the weekend. A peaceful vigil on Monday to support the girl and her family was followed by serious trouble. Two boys, both 14, were arrested and later charged with the attempted oral rape of the girl on June 7. Some Filipino workers in the area began putting stickers on their doors that declared their nationality, in an apparent bid to avoid attack. Some people also displayed Union flags, or hung them in windows. Monday evening's violence resulted in 15 police officers suffering injuries with four homes in the area being set alight. Meanwhile, a car was set alight in north Belfast as disorder flared in several areas of the city. Police in Newtownabbey said: 'Following a protest at Cloughfern, colleagues are aware of a group of young people who appear intent on engaging in some form of disorder. "So that we can avoid any allegation that we target local young people and attempt to criminalise them, I would ask for some assistance from friends, family or anyone with influence to help us protect these young people by diverting them away from the area and help us dispose of the fireworks to which they have gained access.' Translink suspended bus services in several areas of Belfast due to protests. Services on the Shore Road in north Belfast were at a standstill due to protestors blocking roadways along bus routes. Bus services along the Ravenhill Road between the east and south of the city were also diverted towards the Ormeau Embankment due to demonstrations. Protestors had blocked roads at Carlisle Circus, but have since dispersed. It's understood a crowd of around 50 gathered at the area holding placards saying: 'Protect Our Children.' Shankill Road bus services have since been restored the public transport operator said. A Translink spokesperson said: 'Metro 11 Shankill services have been restored. Shore road services currently suspended until further notice due to protests on the routes. 'Metro 6D services Diverted out and in via the Ormeau Road via the Embankment due to a protest on the Ravenhill Road.' A PSNI spokesperson said: "The Police Service of Northern Ireland is aware of several protests across Northern Ireland this evening, Tuesday 10th June. Officers are in attendance and will continue to monitor the situation."

PSNI says 'calm restored' after second night of violence in Ballymena
PSNI says 'calm restored' after second night of violence in Ballymena

The Journal

time3 hours ago

  • The Journal

PSNI says 'calm restored' after second night of violence in Ballymena

POLICE IN NORTHERN IRELAND came under attack as violent disorder erupted for a second night in a row in Ballymena, Co Antrim. Multiple cars and properties were set on fire while rioters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry at police officers. The PSNI deployed riot police, fired plastic baton rounds, and used water cannons as well as dog units as part of its response to the disorder. In a statement, the PSNI said calm had been restored in the Clonavon Terrace, North Road and Bridge Street areas by around 1am this morning. They said there had also been 'sporadic disorder' in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus, as well incidents in north Belfast. It came after similar violent unrest around Clonavon Terrace in the town on Monday night , following an earlier peaceful protest in the day which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. Some 15 police officers were injured. A senior police officer condemned the disorder as 'racist thuggery'. A firefighter exits a house set alight during a second night of violence in Ballymena. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson issued a public appeal for information and said the PSNI was actively working to identify those responsible for the 'racially motivated disorder in Ballymena and bring them to justice'. Advertisement He said the service would deploy significant resources to any further disorder during the week. Riot police were deployed to residential streets around Clonavon Terrace last night as hundreds of people gathered in the area from approximately 7pm. The PSNI formed barricades while officers wearing armour and shields also responded to the disorder. Some masked protesters shouted abuse and threw objects at the police, including fireworks, glass bottles and pieces of metal. The PSNI advised those present to disperse and warned that water cannon would be deployed against those participating in violent activity. Police fired plastic baton rounds at some of those gathered and also used water cannons to disperse the crowd. Many young children were present among those gathered near police lines. Police used water cannon to disperse people engaged in serious disorder. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo As rioters were dispersed into other parts of the town as the evening progressed into night, a property on Bridge Street and a home on Queen Street were set on fire. Other properties had windows smashed as some residents chose to display signs about the nationalities of those normally resident, including one saying 'British household' and another with 'Filipino lives here'. Multiple cars were also set on fire as part of blazes set by rioters, including near a car wash and tyre centre off Bridge Street and on Larne Street. Related Reads PSNI use water cannon on protesters on second night of unrest in Ballymena 'Racist thuggery': How a peaceful vigil in Ballymena turned into anti-immigration violence The clothing of at least one participant caught fire during the disorder. The PSNI cleared streets and allowed gaps in its barricades for firefighters to tackle fires in the town as chaotic scenes continued past midnight. Officers also used a drone as part of the response to illegal activity, which saw some rioters kick in doors and ransack homes. Riot police wearing armour and carrying shields in Ballymena. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo A 29-year-old man was charged with riotous behaviour after being arrested on Monday night. Henderson said other arrests are expected following the examination of video footage. At a press conference on Tuesday, Henderson said the attacks should be 'loudly condemned by all right-thinking people'. 'Any attempt to justify or explain it as something else is misplaced,' he said at a press conference at Ballymena police station earlier on Tuesday. He said members of the minority ethnic community 'felt fear' and there will be a significant policing operation in the town in the coming days to reassure the community. Henderson said that police officers from England and Wales will be brought to Northern Ireland if needed to help the PSNI in the wake of the Ballymena disorder. With reporting from Press Association Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal

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