Canadian police arrested a man on Sunday after a car drove into a street party in Vancouver, killing nine people. Police later confirmed that the incident was not linked to terrorism.
At first, the number of deaths was unclear, but Vancouver police later confirmed that nine people had died.
The tragedy happened shortly after 8 PM on Sunday during a celebration by the Filipino community for Lapu Lapu Day in the Sunset on Fraser neighbourhood of Vancouver.
The festival honours Lapu Lapu, a Filipino leader from the 16th century who fought against colonial forces. This year, the celebration took place just before Canada’s national elections.
Lapu Lapu festival incident: Who is the suspect?
Although the crash was not treated as a terror attack, a 30-year-old local man was arrested at the scene, Vancouver police said on X (formerly Twitter).
Authorities did not reveal much about the suspect, but AFP quoted a police spokesperson who said he was a "lone suspect" and was already known to the police. Acting police chief Steve Rai also confirmed to BBC that the suspect had some prior connection with the police, though he did not give details.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was "devastated" by the "horrific events."
"I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver," he wrote on X.
Videos shared on social media and verified by AFP showed a black SUV with a damaged hood parked on a street full of debris, close to first responders helping people lying on the ground.
Photos shared by Canadian broadcaster CBC showed emergency teams at work and large crowds earlier at the street festival.
Festival security guard Jen Idaba-Castaneto told the local news outlet Vancouver Is Awesome that she saw "bodies everywhere."
"You don't know who to help, here or there," she said.
Saturday’s event included a parade, a movie screening, dancing, and a concert. Two members of the Black Eyed Peas were among the performers listed by organisers.
Lapu Lapu Day is celebrated in the Philippines to honor Indigenous chief Lapulapu, who defeated Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.
Meanwhile, Canadians are set to vote on Monday after a busy election campaign focused on issues like rising living costs and the country’s response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs.
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