Eleven people died this Saturday, and at least 20 more were injured, in a massive and unprecedented hit-and-run on the streets of the Canadian city of Vancouver. A 30-year-old man, with a criminal record and with the police not yet identifying a motive or cause, ran them over with his vehicle, a black SUV, around 8:15 p.m., during the celebrations of a popular Filipino street festival in a residential area, somewhat away from the city center.
The news has shaken the country less than 36 hours before the start of one of the most tense and important elections in decades, especially because the leader of one of the federal parties had been campaigning there just a few hours earlier. Security forces have barely had time to start an investigation, but on Sunday morning, trying to reassure and dispel rumors at a particularly delicate moment, they have ruled out what the entire country thought: "At this time, we are confident that this incident was not an act of terrorism," they said in a message on social media, without specifying exactly what leads them to think so or if they have any specific terrorism in mind.
Subsequently, as confirmed by the Government, they have classified it as a "car attack", but ensuring that "there is no active threat" anywhere in the country.
"I am devastated to learn of the horrific events that occurred at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver this afternoon. I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of the deceased and injured, to the Filipino-Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver. We are in mourning and closely monitoring the situation and thank our law enforcement and healthcare workers for their swift action," reacted the Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party, Mark Carney.
Witnesses and videos show the man driving at high speed through streets full of people, brutally hitting bodies that are thrown, until he crashes at the end of a straightaway with food trucks on both sides. The driver, dazed, got out and tried to flee but was restrained by festival attendees, who were waiting for a concert by the Black Eyed Peas, and by festival security.
Witnesses have explained that the man, apparently confused and disoriented, "just stood there, not saying anything" when asked what had happened. "Are you drunk? Are you on drugs? Why did you do this?" the guards shouted at him according to one of those present. "It was like a big explosion, like a bunch of fireworks when he started hitting people," a witness told the Globe and Mail. "There were a lot of people lying on the streets and people trying to revive them," another survivor explained. A festival security guard, Jen Idaba-Castaneto, described to the local news portal Vancouver Is Awesome that she saw "bodies everywhere." "You don't know who to help, whether here or there. It's so shocking," she said.
"So far, we can confirm that nine people died[the number later rose to 11] after a man drove through a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Festival on East 43rd Avenue and Fraser shortly after 8:00 p.m. tonight. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic incident," explained the Vancouver Police requesting collaboration. "The driver is in custody. We will provide more information as the investigation progresses, which is ongoing and being handled by the Major Crimes Section" of the Vancouver Police Department.
Filipino BC, the acronym for the region of British Columbia, the social and cultural entity organizing the festival, has released a statement on Instagram. "We cannot find the words to express the deep distress that this senseless tragedy has caused. We are devastated for the families and the victims. We encourage everyone to communicate, support, and stand by each other. Do not hesitate to seek available resources. You are not alone. We will not respond to media requests as we are focused on supporting our community at this time, in addition to experiencing this trauma. We also want to clarify that we discourage viewing and sharing the videos currently circulating about the tragedy," their message says.
Security forces now have not only a police problem but also a political one. Social media quickly filled with messages suggesting that a massive hit-and-run, on the eve of an election, and the fact that the detainee's name was not made public, were evidence that the perpetrator would be Muslim. The immigration issue is not the central focus of this campaign, centered on the commercial and identity challenge following Donald Trump's threats to Canada, but it is a cross-cutting issue.
The leader of the NDP, the social democratic party, Jagmeet Singh, was campaigning at the festival that same day but had already left at the time of the attack. "Lapu Lapu is a festival with children and families, I have no words to describe the pain I feel now for the lives lost... We do not know the motives, we do not know the details. But ultimately, this affected the Filipino community, and the Filipino community is shocked at this time," Singh pointed out, canceling his scheduled events on the last day of the campaign.
"I am shocked by the horrible news that emerged from the Lapu Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver tonight. My condolences are with the Filipino community and all the victims of this senseless attack. Thank you to the professionals on site as we await more information," echoed Conservative leader Pierre Polievre.
The first event that Prime Minister Mark Carney was scheduled to attend this Sunday in Hamilton, Ontario, has been canceled. The campaign team is assessing how to proceed with a day full of rallies leading up to the elections throughout Canada. The Prime Minister is expected to maintain the afternoon agenda, but details are up in the air. "We will console the mourners, take care of each other, unite in a common purpose," he promised in a statement as Prime Minister and not as a candidate.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has shared his sorrow over the incident. "I am shocked and deeply saddened by the terrible incident that occurred today at the Lapu Lapu Day event," he stated in a release. The festival commemorates a 16th-century Filipino anti-colonial leader. The President of the Philippines has reacted with "consternation" and offered his collaboration to the victims.