Nine people died and others were injured after a driver advanced against a crowd during a Filipino Street Festival in Vancouver, Canada. According to local police, the run over occurred on Saturday night (26), around 20h, Vancouver time – 0h on Sunday (27), for Brasília time.
The driver, a 30 -year -old man, was arrested at the scene with the help of people who were at the party and taken in custody by the authorities. According to Vancouver police, he is “known” by security forces, but his identity has not been disclosed so far. Authorities have also stated that, so far, there is no evidence that the running was an act of terrorism.
According to information from the Reuters agency, the tragedy took place during Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party, a cultural event that celebrated the Indigenous Chief Filipino Lapu-Lapu. The party took place in the East 41st Avenue region with Fraser Street, in the Sunset neighborhood, an area traditionally linked to the Filipino-Canadian community.
In an official note, the Filipinas Consulate in Vancouver expressed “great concern and sympathy” to the victims and their families. The province of British Columbia had officially recognized April 27 as Lapu-Lapu Day in 2023, honoring the Philippine culture and the contribution of the community, which represents about 2.5% of the Canadian population, with almost 1 million people of Philippine origin.
The festival, very traditional in the Philippines, brings together cultural performances, typical foods and live shows at a big street party.
With information from Reuters
