The victims participated in the traditional celebration of Filipino Street in the city of Vancouver; The police arrested a 30 -year -old Canadian place and investigates the motivation of the accident, discarding terrorism for now. A car hit a crowd that participated in a street festival promoted by the Filipin community in Vancouver, Canada, killing at least nine and leaving several people injured on Saturday evening (26/4).
Vancouver police said to investigate the accident and that a 30 -year -old man from Vancouver was arrested on the scene.
“So far, we can confirm that nine people have died after a man has gone through a crowd at the Lapu-Lapu festival last night. Our thoughts are with all the people affected by this tragic accident,” said the company.
“At this moment, we are confident that this accident was not an act of terrorism,” said the police.
The car used to invest, a black SUV, burst into the street when thousands of people celebrated Lapu-Lapu Day, an annual festival that celebrates the indigenous leader Filipino Datu Lapu-Lapu, who faced the Spanish colonists led by Fernão de Magalhães at the Batalha de Macan in 1521, becoming a national hero.
The organizers of the event define the Lapu-Lapu national hero as the representation of the “soul of the native resistance, a powerful force that has contributed to modeling the Philippine identity in the face of colonization”. The festival occupies several blocks, with food stalls, live shows and cultural projections.
The Philippine community is one of Vancouver’s largest: there are over 38,000 residents of origin of the Philippines in the city, which represent almost 6% of its population, according to the Canadian census of 2021.
Strong noise and terror
Businessman James Cruzat, who was on the event site, heard a car accelerating the engine and then “a strong noise, like a strong bang” which initially thought it could be a shot.
“We saw people on the street cry, others ran, screamed or even screaming, asking for help. So we tried to go there only to check what was really going on, until we found some bodies on the floor. Others were lifeless, others wounded,” Cruzat said.
The mayor of Vancouver, Kenneth Yes, declared on its social networks that the city would have provided as soon as possible.
“I am shocked and deeply sad for the terrible accident per day of the Lapu-Lapu event,” he said. “Our thoughts are with all the affected people and the Filipine community of Vancouver at this very difficult moment.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney and other Canadian political figures have published messages that express dismay and support for victims.
“I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of dead and injuries, the Filipino-Canadian community and all in Vancouver. We are all in mourning with you,” wrote Carry.
SF (AFP, AP, OTS)
Source: Terra
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