SEVERAL people were killed and others injured after a vehicle rammed into a Filipino community event, the “Lapu Lapu Day Block Party,” on Saturday night.
According to CBC-Canada, the incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. (1 p.m. Sunday, Philippine time) near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street.
Authorities said the driver, a 30-year-old male, is now in custody. Investigations are ongoing.
The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver expressed deep concern and extended sympathies to the victims and their families.
“As we await further information about the incident, we pray that our community remains strong and resilient, imbued with the spirit of bayanihan during this difficult time,” the Consulate said in a statement.
Harjit Sajjan, Member of Parliament for Vancouver South, described the tragedy as hitting “the heart of our neighborhood.”
“As we await more information, our thoughts are with our friends and neighbors in Vancouver South who were celebrating at Lapu Lapu today,” Sajjan told CBC.
Authorities have yet to release more details on the number of casualties and the motive behind the incident.
The Filipino community in Vancouver has rallied to offer support to those affected.
