Former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has shared his condolences following the attack in Vancouver which has left 11 people dead and others fighting for life in hospital.
“My heart goes out to the loved ones of all the victims of the tragic attack at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver,” he wrote on X.
“I join all Canadians in standing with the Filipino community at this difficult time.”
Rachel Clun28 April 2025 09:21
Around 8pm on Saturday, a black SUV ploughed into a crowd at the Lapu-Lapu Filipino festival in Vancouver, killing 11 people. Here’s what we know so far.
- Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, and Vancouver police said more charges were possible.
- Victims range in age from five to 65, police said, with not all victims identified yet.
- Vancouver police say the number of dead could rise in coming days and weeks, with some of the 20 injured people in a critical condition.
- Investigators have ruled out terrorism as a motive, saying Lo had “a significant history” of interactions with police and mental health professionals
- Police chief Steve Rai said it was the “darkest day in Vancouver’s history”.
- The attack comes ahead of a federal election, with Canadians set to head to the polls within hours.
People embrace at the candlelight vigil near the scene where a car drove into a crowd of people during the Lapu Lapu Festival (Getty Images)
Rachel Clun28 April 2025 09:05
Canadians will start heading to the polls in a few hours, following Vancouver’s “darkest day” with 11 people dead and more than 20 injured in the car-ramming attack on the weekend.
Prime Minister Mark Carney cancelled the last rallies of the election campaign on Sunday in Calgary, Richmond and British Colombia following the tragedy, though he went ahead with smaller events in Edmonton and Saskatoon, Canada’s Globe and Mail reports.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre continued campaigning, but added a visit to a Filipino church on Sunday morning. On social media, he shared images and videos of rallies in Peterborough, Carleton and Ottowa.
Mr Poilievre said he spoke with Vancouver Mayore Ken Sim, Premier David Eby and Philippine Consul General Gina Jamoralin following the attack.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh scrapped nearly all his pre-election day events.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, second from right, British Columbia Premier David Eby, second from left and his wife Cailey Lynch attend the candlelit vigil on Sunday evening (Getty Images)
Rachel Clun28 April 2025 08:48
Shaken festival attendees and locals have laid flowers at a makeshift memorial to the victims of the car ramming attack in Vancouver.
Nathaly Nairn and her 15-year-old daughter carried flowers to one of the vigils. They had attended the festival on Saturday, and Nairn recounted seeing the damaged SUV and bodies on the ground.
“Something really dark happened last night,” Nairn said, as she and her daughter wiped away tears.
Emily Daniels also brought a bouquet. “It’s sad. Really sad,” she said. “I can’t believe something like this could happen so close to home.”
People lay flowers at a makeshift memorial for victims of the Lapu-Lapu festival car-ramming attack (Getty Images)
Rachel Clun, AP28 April 2025 08:32
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said families of the victims are “living every family’s nightmare” as he offers condolences following the car-ramming attack.
Canadian PM says families ‘living a nightmare’
The 11 people killed in the car-ramming incident range in age from five to 65, officials said, while warning the death toll could rise further with other victims critically injured.
Vancouver police said the victims were a mix of male and female, including young people.
More than 20 were injured, some critcally, authorities said, after the black SUV sped down a closed street at 8pm local time on Saturday and hit people attending the Lapu Lapu Day Festival.
Vancouver Mayor Kenneth Sim said the city had “suffered its darkest day.”
“I know many of us are fearful and feel uneasy,” said the mayor. “I know it’s hard to feel this way right now, but Vancouver is still a safe city.”
The driver, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, aged 30, has since been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, with more charges expected to follow.
The aftermath of the attack (Rich Lam/The Canadian Press via AP)
Rachel Clun, AP28 April 2025 08:02
Hundreds of people have laid flowers at a makeshift memorial during a candlelit vigil for victims of the car ramming attack.
People attend a candlelit vigil for victims of the car ramming attack (Getty Images)
People leave flowers at the makeshift memorial (EPA)
A Philippine flag flies at the vigil for victims of the attack at the Lapu-Lapu festival (Getty Images)
Rachel Clun28 April 2025 07:45
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has lit a candle at a makeshift memorial for the victims of the attack.
In a picture shared on X, Mr Carney is kneeling to light a candle in front of hundreds of bunches of flowers laid out near the scene where a car drove into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Festival.
“In Vancouver tonight, we laid flowers in memory of the victims of the devastating Lapu Lapu festival attack,” Mr Carney wrote.
“In this incredibly difficult moment, we will comfort the grieving, care for one another, and unite in common purpose.”
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr issued a statement expressing sympathy with the victims and their families.
“The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver is working with Canadian authorities to ensure that the incident will be thoroughly investigated, and that the victims and their families are supported and consoled,” he said.
The Philippine government is coordinating with local police to gather more details about victims and the investigation, while the Vancouver consulate has established a hotline for families, presidential palace press officer Claire Castro told reporters in Manila this morning.
Namita Singh28 April 2025 07:05
Scene where 11 killed after car ploughed into crowd at Vancouver street festival
Namita Singh28 April 2025 06:46
