PH Consulate 'concerned' after deadly Filipino festival in Vancouver

The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, Canada on Sunday expressed concern after a deadly incident where a vehicle plowed into a crowd at a Filipino street festival.

“The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver expresses its deep concern and sympathies to the victims of the horrific incident at the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party today,” the consulate said in a statement after the crash that reportedly killed several people.

“As we await more information about the incident, we pray that our community remains strong and resilient imbued with the spirit of bayanihan during this difficult time,” it added.

Vancouver Police earlier confirmed that nine people died after a man drove through a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Festival. In an update, the authorities amended the number of dead to 11.

"A number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured," police also said. "The driver is in custody."

According to a report by Agence France-Presse, the driver has been taken into police custody.

The incident took place during the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party around 8 p.m. near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street.

In his X (formerly Twitter) account, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed devastation at the news.

“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 all mourning with you,” Carney said.

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

I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening.

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 all mourning with…

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 27, 2025

—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News