Vancouver pageant crash newest: Nine killed after automobile ploughs into crowd at Lapu Lapu avenue pageant

James Cruzat, a Vancouver business owner, was at the event and heard a car rev its engine and then “a loud noise, like a loud bang” that he initially thought might be a gunshot.

“We saw people on the road crying, others were like running, shouting, or even screaming, asking for help. So we tried to go there just to check what was really actually happening until we found some bodies on the ground. Others were lifeless, others like, you know, injured,” Mr Cruzat said.

“It was terrible to see that kind of incident, that situation. It was heartbreaking,” Mr Cruzat added. “I couldn’t even imagine that it’s actually happening in real life, because normally we see that on TVs or movies.

“But when you are in that kind of situation, it was really shocking. You couldn’t do anything but to pray for them.”

Vancouver Police have now confirmed nine people have died after a car ploughed into a crowd at a street festival.

Posting an update to social media, the force said: “As of now, we can confirm nine people have died after a man drove through a crowd at last night’s Lapu Lapu Festival.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic incident.”

Police said they were investigating a mass casualty incident and had arrested a 30-year-old Vancouver man at the scene.

At a midnight press conference, police said that the suspect was “known” to them but did not elaborate.

The man was initially taken into custody by people at the scene.

Vancouver police have declined to give details on the number of dead and injured.

“There was a number of deceased, a number also injured. It would be unfair for me to speculate on exact numbers as the victims were taken to multiple hospitals in the region,” said Vancouver interim police chief Steve Rai.

Several people have died after a car crashed into a crowd at a Lapu Lapu day street party.

Lapu Lapu day is a Filipino celebration of Datu Lapu-Lapu, an Indigenous Visayan Chieftain from Mactan, Philippines.

According to the street party’s website, Lapu-Lapu is a considered the first national hero of the Philippines.

He is described as an “enduring symbol of unwavering resistance and indomitable spirit during the Age of Exploration,” and “the first to rise against the tide of Spanish colonisation”.

The incident happened at a Lapu Lapu street party in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The driver drove into a crowd at a the festival at E. 41st Avenue and Fraser street.

The map below shows where the street party was taking place, according to the organiser’s website.

Canadian Police have said they are “confident” that the fatal incident at a street festival on Saturday night “was not an act of terrorism”.

Canadian political figures are reacting to the fatal incident at a street festival in Vancouver on Saturday incident.

Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party who was at the festival earlier in the day, said: “As we wait to learn more, our thoughts are with the victims and their families – and Vancouver’s Filipino community, who were coming together today to celebrate resilience.”

Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre said: “My thoughts are with the Filipino community and all the victims targeted by this senseless attack. Thank-you to the first responders who are at the scene as we wait to hear more.”

David Eby, the premier of British Columbia, the province where Vancouver is located, said he was shocked and heartbroken. “We are in contact with the City of Vancouver and will provide any support needed,” he added.

Vancouver mayor Ken Sim said in a statement on X that he was “shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today’s Lapu Lapu Day event”.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time.”