Vancouver street party turns into horror show with dead bodies and ambulances: Car ploughs into crowd celebrating Lapu Lapu

A 30-year-old man drove his SUV into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver’s Sunset on Fraser neighbourhood, killing and injuring multiple people. The street party, attended largely by the Filipino community, turned tragic shortly after 8:00 pm local time. Authorities quickly arrested the driver at the scene. (Photo credit: AP)

Vancouver police said the incident appeared to be the work of a lone suspect known to them but confirmed early Sunday that it was not being treated as an act of terrorism. Their Major Crime Section is now leading the investigation into the horrific crash. (Photo credit: AP)

Festivalgoers like Dale Selipe described seeing injured children and shattered bodies scattered across the street. Another witness, James Cruzat, spoke of hearing a revving engine followed by chaos and lifeless bodies on the ground, calling the experience "heartbreaking" and "unimaginable." (Photo credit: AP)

Photos and videos from the scene showed first responders attending to multiple victims lying motionless on the road, with debris scattered everywhere. A black SUV with a damaged hood was visible near the crash site, underlining the violence of the impact. (Photo credit: AP)

Festival security guard Jen Idaba-Castaneto said there were "bodies everywhere" and described the heartbreaking difficulty of deciding whom to help first. The chaotic aftermath overwhelmed both organisers and emergency responders trying to save lives. (Photo credit: AP)

The Vancouver crash comes a year after Nathaniel Veltman was sentenced to life for running down a Muslim family in Ontario, a crime linked to white supremacy and terrorism. The eerie similarities have renewed discussions around public safety at community events. (Photo credit: AP)

The festival, meant to honour 16th-century Filipino hero Lapulapu who resisted colonial forces, included a parade, concerts, and cultural performances. Two members of the Black Eyed Peas were part of the lineup, drawing large crowds before tragedy struck. (Photo credit: AP)

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was "devastated" by the "horrific events" and extended his condolences to the Filipino Canadian community, the victims' families, and the people of Vancouver. He added, "We are all mourning with you" in a message posted on X. (Photo credit: AP)

"I am 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," Pierre Poilievre said in a post on X.