CARNEY OFFERS CONDOLENCES AFTER VEHICLE INCIDENT AT FILIPINO FESTIVAL IN VANCOUVER

MANILA, April 27 (Bernama-PNA) -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said authorities are monitoring the situation closely after a vehicle ploughed into a crowd during a Filipino street festival in Vancouver, leaving several people dead and many others injured.

According to the Philippines news agency (PNA), Carney, in a post on Facebook, said he was devastated by the tragedy.

“I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver.

“We are monitoring the situation closely and are thankful to our first responders for their swift action,” he said.

Reports from local media said the incident occurred around 8 pm Saturday (Sunday afternoon in the Philippines) near Fraser Street and 43rd Avenue, during the Lapu Lapu Day ’25 Block Party.

Vancouver Police earlier confirmed that nine people had been killed, although officials said the actual number of fatalities and injured was still being verified.

Meanwhile, the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines also expressed its condolences, saying it was “devastated and heartbroken by the terrible tragedy”.

“We offer our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, and we join the Filipino-Canadian community in their time of grief,” the embassy said in a social media post.

Witnesses said the vehicle entered a pedestrian-only area, revving past food trucks and striking festival-goers as the event was ending.

The Vancouver Sun reported that the show had wrapped up, and Filipino-American rapper Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas had already completed his performance when the incident occurred.

Interim Police Chief Steve Rai said in a midnight news briefing that bystanders held the suspect, a 30-year-old Vancouver man, until police arrived. He was arrested at the scene.

Eyewitness Abigail Andiso told the Vancouver Sun she heard two loud bangs followed by screaming and saw people running towards East 43rd Avenue.

“There were bodies on the street. They were run over. Some were already dead on the spot,” she said, adding that she had called emergency services.

Organisers Filipino BC said they were “devastated” by the tragedy in a post on Instagram.

"We are still finding the words to express the deep heartbreak brought on by this senseless tragedy. We are devastated for the families and victims," the group said.

A 24-hour assistance centre has been established at the Douglas Park Community Centre to support those affected by the incident.

Authorities have confirmed that the incident is not being treated as an act of terrorism.

-- BERNAMA-PNA