At least eight people were killed and six others injured when an SUV drove into a crowd during a Philippine community festival in Vancouver, Canada, Global News reported, citing sources.
According to initial information, a child is believed to be among the victims. Authorities have yet to officially confirm the death toll. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney praised the swift response of emergency services. “We are closely monitoring the situation and thank our first responders for their rapid action,” he wrote on his social media page X.
Mr. Carney also extended his condolences to the victims’ families, the injured, and the entire Vancouver community, expressing particular support for the Filipino community.
Earlier reports indicated that a vehicle had plowed into a street festival crowd. The driver has been arrested, though the motives behind the act remain unknown.
Terrorism ruled out
The Vancouver Police Department has ruled out, at this stage, any terrorist motive behind the ramming attack during the Philippine festival.
“At this time, we are confident that this incident was not an act of terrorism,” the Vancouver police stated in a release posted on X.