dpa
(TNS)
Berlin — Nine people were killed when a car drove through a crowd at a Filipino festival in the western Canadian city of Vancouver, police said on Sunday.
"As of now, we can confirm nine people have died after a man drove through a crowd at last night's Lapu Lapu Festival," Vancouver police wrote on X.
A 30-year-old suspect was arrested after the incident on Saturday night, which injured several others.
Police are trying to determine why the suspect hit the crowd, but are "confident" that it was not an "act of terrorism."
A broadcaster reported based on eyewitness accounts that the man attempted to flee the scene on foot after driving through the crowd, but was held up by passers-by.
A police spokesman confirmed that there was "no further danger to the public."
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said he was shocked and saddened by the "horrific incident."
"Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver's Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time," said Sim.
The incident came just two days before Canada holds parliamentary elections on Monday.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was "devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver" in a post on X.
"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 added. "We are all mourning with you."
Carney, the head of Canada's Liberal Party, is facing off against Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre to lead the country's next government.
Poilievre also commented on the incident, writing on X that he was "shocked by the horrific news emerging from Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day Festival tonight."
"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," Poilievre added.
The Lapu Lapu festival celebrates a Filipino national hero who prevented the colonization of the archipelago in 1521.
April 27 has been marked as Lapu Lapu Day in the Canadian province of British Columbia since 2023.
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