A tragic incident occurred in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday night, April 27, 2025, where a driver plowed into a crowd at the annual Lapu-Lapu Day block party, a celebration of Filipino culture. The attack, which happened on East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, resulted in nine fatalities and multiple injuries.
The driver, a 30-year-old man from Vancouver, was captured by the crowd and turned over to the police. Authorities have confirmed that the incident is not considered an act of terrorism. The police are investigating the motive behind the attack.
The scene was chaotic, with multiple victims lying on the street, and food trucks damaged. Witnesses described the area as having “bodies everywhere” after the vehicle drove through the pedestrian-only zone. The Vancouver Police Department and emergency responders were quick to respond, tending to victims and cordoning off the area.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim expressed shock and sadness over the incident, offering condolences to the victims’ families and the Filipino community. Canadian leaders, including Prime Minister Mark Carney and Jagmeet Singh, also offered support and condolences.
The Lapu-Lapu Day celebration commemorates a battle on the island of Mactan in the Philippines, where Lapu-Lapu, an Indigenous leader, defeated Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. The incident has left the community in shock, and authorities are working to provide support to those affected
