The annual Lapu Lapu Day celebration in Vancouver, dedicated to the Filipino community, turned tragic on Saturday night when a driver drove into a gathering of festival-goers, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries. Local police announced that a 30-year-old man, already known to them, has been taken into custody following the incident, which occurred shortly after 8 p.m. Vancouver officials described the situation as incredibly grave but did not specify the exact casualty figures, indicating they are in the "multiples."

Amid the festivities honoring the legacy of Datu Lapu-Lapu, a national hero in the Philippines, the chaos unfolded with emergency responders visible throughout the area, treating numerous injured individuals. Vancouver’s mayor, Ken Sim, expressed his sorrow over the tragic event, highlighting the deep impact on the community.

Prime Minister Mark Carney extended condolences online, acknowledging the pain felt by those affected and the wider Filipino Canadian community as they process the tragedy. Lapu Lapu Day, commemorated on April 27 since 2023, attracted an estimated 100,000 attendees this year, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Canadians of Filipino descent, nearly a million of whom reside in Canada, particularly concentrated in British Columbia.