Eleven people have been killed and dozens have been injured after drivers plowed into crowds at a festival in Vancouver, Canada on Saturday night.
At a press conference on Sunday, authorities warned that deaths could rise in the coming days. The suspect is a Vancouver resident with a history of mental illness and was known to police. The individual has not yet been identified or has not been officially charged. Authorities confirmed that the event was not an act of terrorism.
A graphic video of the aftermath of the incident, posted on social media and verified by NBC News, was seen caring for the victims as onlookers appear to be suffering, crying and shocked.
What appears to be a vehicle, the crumpled black SUV, was seen stopping in the middle of the street after crashing into a food truck lying on either side of a street that had been pedestrians, in a joyful celebration of Philippine culture.
Damaged food truck ruins also appeared to be scattered throughout the area.
According to Vancouver police, the crowd gathered for the annual Lapu-Lapu Day block party captured the driver and handed it over to police.
At least 11 people have died after drivers plowed into the crowd at a bustling street festival in Vancouver, Canada
The attack occurred on East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street shortly after 8:14pm local time, the Vancouver Police Department said in a X post.
Police did not provide any immediate possible motivation.
At a midnight press conference at the scene of the crash, Vancouver interim police chief Steve Lye told reporters “The only suspect, male subject and one vehicle drove a crowded community event near here.”
“We’ll be conducting a full investigation into what happened here tonight, the entire investigation component (the Vancouver Police Department section, support from other areas), from now on,” Lye said.
Yoseb Vardeh, co-owner of a food truck stationed at Lapu-Lapu Day Festival, told Canadian news outlet Vancouver Sun that he heard the engine revving before the speeding truck ran straight through the middle of a pedestrian-only area.
“I went outside the food truck, looking down the road, there are bodies everywhere,” Valde said.
He added that police acted quickly, ousting the area and arresting the man. “This is what happens in America, not here,” he said.
Deena Lancaster, a spokesman for Vancouver General Hospital, the area’s top trauma facility, said he has received multiple patients from the incident.
“I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrifying incident at today’s Lapu Lapu Day event,” said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, adding that more information will approach as soon as it becomes available.
“Our idea lies in all the people affected and the Filipino community in Vancouver during this incredibly difficult time,” Sim said.
British Columbia Premier David Ebby said his team has been in contact with Vancouver officials and will provide the necessary support.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his sadness to X, saying that authorities were monitoring the situation.
While addressing Canadians on the air Sunday morning, Carney described the tragic loss as “a nightmare for all families.” He went on to highlight the resilience and strength of Filipinos and the Canadian community.
Carney referred to the Tagalog terminology that he said “captures the Filipino spirit of a community of cooperation and unity.”
“And it’s this spirit that has to be drawn into these incredibly difficult times,” Carney said. “We comfort our sorrow. We take care of each other. We unite with a common purpose.”
Jagmeet Singh, the leader of Canada’s New Democrat, said in X “terrifying.”
“While we wait to learn more, our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the Philippine community in Vancouver, whom we were gathering today to celebrate resilience,” he said.
In 2023, British Columbia officially declared its Lapu Lapu Day on April 27th, and on April 27th, 1521, it commemorated the Battle of Mactan Island and the Battle of Mactan Island. He is involved in a Spanish expedition to patrol the earth.
The islands have been under Spanish colonial rule for nearly 400 years, and Lapu Lapu has been welcomed by the Philippines and the global Philippine diaspora as a symbol of resistance to colonialism.
According to the 2021 census, Canada has around 1 million Filipino immigrants and Filipino people.
This story first appeared on nbcnews.com. More from NBC News:
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