Multiple people killed after car drives into Vancouver festival

Multiple people are dead and others injured after a man drove an SUV into a crowd at a festival in Vancouver.

Local police say a 30-year-old man from the city in British Columbia is in custody, adding that they are confident this is not an act of terrorism.

The Filipino community’s Lapu Lapu Day festival was underway when the incident took place shortly after 20:00 local time (04:00 BST).

A food truck owner tells the BBC the car drove “completely straight, right through the crowd”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says he’s “devastated” to learn about the deadly incident, as do the leaders of the Conservative Party, the Green Party, and the NDP.

What we know so far
Emergency services are still responding to what police are calling a “mass casualty incident” in Vancouver, Canada.

Festival host says they’re heartbroken by ‘senseless tragedy’
Filipino BC, the group that hosts the local Lapu Lapu Day festival, says they are devastated for the families and victims.

“We are still finding the words to express the deep heartbreak brought on by this senseless tragedy,” the group says.

“We encourage everyone to check in, support and hold each other,” they add.

“Do not hesitate to access the resources available. You are not alone.”

Here’s what we know so far:

-The incident happened shortly after 20:00 local time on Saturday, April 26 (04:00 BST on Sunday), April 27, during the Filipino community’s annual Lapu Lapu Day festival.

-Witnesses say a man drove through a street full of people and lined with food trucks

-Police say there are “multiple” fatalities and injuries, but haven’t given specific numbers

-A 30-year-old man from Vancouver is now in custody

-Police say they are confident this was not an act of terrorism

It’s already past midnight in Vancouver, and police say they’ll give an update in the morning.

Festival host says they’re heartbroken by ‘senseless tragedy’

Filipino BC, the group that hosts the local Lapu Lapu Day festival, says they are devastated for the families and victims.

“We are still finding the words to express the deep heartbreak brought on by this senseless tragedy,” the group says.

“We encourage everyone to check in, support and hold each other,” they add.

“Do not hesitate to access resources available. You are not alone.”

Emergency services are still responding to what police are calling a “mass casualty incident” in Vancouver, Canada.

Here’s what we know so far:

The incident happened shortly after 20:00 local time on Saturday (04:00 BST on Sunday) during the Filipino community’s annual Lapu Lapu Day festival.

Witnesses say a man drove through a street full of people and lined with food trucks
Police say there are “multiple” fatalities and injuries, but haven’t given specific numbers
A 30-year-old man from Vancouver is now in custody

Police say they are confident this was not an act of terrorism
It’s already past midnight in Vancouver, and police say they’ll give an update in the morning.

Stay with us as we bring you all the key developments.

Vancouver Police ‘confident incident was not act of terrorism’

Vancouver Police have just posted another update on their social media.

“At this time, we are confident that this incident was not an act of terrorism,” it says.

‘It was such a beautiful celebration, such a family event’ – NDP leader recalls

Earlier we brought you a statement from NDP leader Jagmeet Singh – who was attending the Lapu Lapu Day block party before the incident unfolded.

He’s since been filmed at a separate event where he has provided fresh reaction to the news that a man drove his SUV through a crowd of people.

Source: BBC