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25 April 2025
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11 killed after driver rams into crowd at Filipino festival in Vancouver
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At least 11 people have been killed and dozens injured after a driver rammed into a crowd at a Filipino street festival in Canada. Police said they were investigating a mass casualty incident and had arrested a 30-year-old Vancouver man at the scene. The incident happened shortly after 8pm on Saturday (1pm on Sunday AEST) in Vancouver's Sunset neighbourhood, an area known for its large Asian population, where the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party, celebrating a Philippine hero, was taking place. The injured were taken to multiple hospitals, police said.
One witness told CTV News he saw a black vehicle driving erratically in the area of the festival just before the crowd was struck. A photo of the aftermath posted online showed a dark Audi SUV with both front fenders crumpled and the hood pushed up toward the vehicle's windshield.
The British Columbia Prosecution Service has since charged the man, identified as Kai-Ji Adam Lo, with eight counts of second-degree murder, and said more charges were possible.
Vancouver interim chief constable Steve Rai told reporters, "This is the darkest day in our city's history." Rai said dozens of people were injured, some seriously, and warned the death toll could rise in the coming days and weeks.
Canadian PM says victims' families 'living a nightmare'
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was "devastated" to hear about the "horrific" incident in a post on X, expressing his condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, the Filipino Canadian community, and everyone in Vancouver.
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said he was "shattered to hear about the terrible incident" and extended his "deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and to the strong and thriving Filipino community in Canada". "The lives lost will not be forgotten," he said in a statement.
Sources: SBS News
One witness told CTV News he saw a black vehicle driving erratically in the area of the festival just before the crowd was struck. A photo of the aftermath posted online showed a dark Audi SUV with both front fenders crumpled and the hood pushed up toward the vehicle's windshield.
The British Columbia Prosecution Service has since charged the man, identified as Kai-Ji Adam Lo, with eight counts of second-degree murder, and said more charges were possible.
Vancouver interim chief constable Steve Rai told reporters, "This is the darkest day in our city's history." Rai said dozens of people were injured, some seriously, and warned the death toll could rise in the coming days and weeks.
Canadian PM says victims' families 'living a nightmare'
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was "devastated" to hear about the "horrific" incident in a post on X, expressing his condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, the Filipino Canadian community, and everyone in Vancouver.
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said he was "shattered to hear about the terrible incident" and extended his "deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and to the strong and thriving Filipino community in Canada". "The lives lost will not be forgotten," he said in a statement.
Sources: SBS News
