‘Bodies everywhere’: At least 11 dead after car ploughs into crowd at street festival in Vancouver

At least 11 people are confirmed dead — including “very young people” — after a crazed driver sped an SUV through revellers at a Vancouver block party, leaving “bodies everywhere”.

At least 11 people have been killed after a car ploughed into a crowd at a street festival in Vancouver.

A 30-year-old “lone suspect” from the city was arrested shortly after a black Audi hit revellers at the Lapu-Lapu Day block party as the celebration was wrapping up, around 8pm local time (1pm AEST).

The man, who has not yet been publicly identified, apologised to festivalgoers as he was detained by the crowd until police arrived to arrest him, according to the Vancouver Sun.

“The suspect was known to police in certain circumstances,” Vancouver Acting Police Chief Steve Rai told reporters on Saturday night without elaborating.

The driver may also have been suffering from mental health issues, the Vancouver Sun reported, citing sources.

The man is believed to have made it onto the busy roadway after a few volunteers removed a barrier during clean-up of the festival.

“We are still working on how this was cordoned off and how this occurred with the vehicle,” Mr Rai said.

Vancouver police are investigating the “mass casualty incident”.

The scene of a fatal incident in South Vancouver. Picture: X

Eleven people have been killed and several others wounded, authorities confirmed in an update on Sunday, local time.

A black Audi with a mangled bonnet was seen in the street outside a food truck.

‘This was a massacre’

It happened as members of the Filipino community had gathered to celebrate Lapu Lapu Day, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time,” Mr Sim said.

The festival commemorates a Filipino anti-colonial leader from the 16th century.

Vancouver native Kaya Ko kicked off the Lapu Lapu Day block party’s main stage performances just before 1pm. Saturday — seven hours before the deadly incident rocked the Canadian city.

“I’m sending all of my love and prayers out to the families that are affected. My heart is broken,” the artist wrote on her Instagram story. “How can we come together as a community after this … So much to process. Send your prayers.

Kaya Ko, whose name means “I can” in Tagalog, called the deadly event a “massacre” that affected many people in the Filipino community.“This was not an accident. This was a massacre,” the vocalist added. “I am at a loss for words. Praying that everyone is taken care of and praying for the souls, lives taken and families affected by this terrible crime.”

Saturday’s event also featured a parade, a film screening, dancing and a concert — with two members of the Black Eyed Peas featured on the line-up.

One witness told CTV News he saw a black vehicle driving erratically in the area of the festival just before the crowd was struck.

Multiple people have been killed and injured. Picture: X

Thousands of revellers had been in the area when the car ploughed into crowds.

Another eyewitness whose food truck was at the event, Yoseb Vardeh, recalled to Postmedia, “I didn’t get to see the driver, all I heard was an engine rev.

“I got outside my food truck, I looked down the road and there’s just bodies everywhere.

“He went through the whole block, he went straight down the middle.”

Horror footage showed victims and debris strewn across the road — with at least seven people lying on the ground.

Other clips appear to show fellow festival-goers trying to help those on the floor.

A victim covered with a cloth lies near a food truck. Picture: Rich Lam/The Canadian Press via AP

Emergency services are working at the scene following the harrowing incident.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on X, “I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening.”

Vancouver Police’s statement said, “A number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured after a driver drove into a crowd at a street festival at E. 41st Avenue and Fraser shortly after 8pm tonight.

“The driver is in custody.

“We will provide more information as the investigation unfolds.”

The premier of British Columbia David Eby said on X he is “shocked” and “heartbroken” to hear of the lives lost and injuries at the festival.

Canada’s New Democracy Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh — who was at the event before the horror incident unfolded — has said he is “horrified to learn” of “innocent people” being killed and hurt.

Police inspect a black Audi with a mangled bonnet. Picture: Rich Lam/The Canadian Press via AP

“As we wait to learn more, our thoughts are with the victims and their families — and Vancouver’s Filipino community, who were coming together today to celebrate resilience,” he added.

The NDP had made a campaign stop at the Lapu Lapu Day block party.

Canada’s Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre described being shocked by the “horrific news”.

“My thoughts are with the Filipino community and all the victims targeted by this senseless attack,” he said.

The investigation is ongoing, with police asking anyone with information to contact them.

In 2022, a driver ploughed into a crowd of Freedom Convoy protesters in Winnipeg, Canada — injuring four before fleeing the scene.

Dashcam footage of the incident showed the white Jeep striking the protesters — who were showing support for anti-Covid-mandates protests in Ottawa and elsewhere in the country.

- With The Sun

Originally published as ‘Bodies everywhere’: At least 11 dead after car ploughs into crowd at street festival in Vancouver