An undetermined number of individuals are reported to have attended the event, which was a Filipino community festival called the Lapu Lapu Day festival.

Confirming the news of the tragic incident, Vancouver Police Department said in a social media post, “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 8 p.m. tonight. The driver is in custody. We will provide more information as the investigation unfolds.”

According to a police update, a 30-year-old guy from Vancouver was taken into custody on the spot.

“The investigation is ongoing and is being led the Vancouver Police Department’s Major Crime Section,” officials stated.

According to BBC News, witnesses said that the man drove “completely straight, right through the crowd.”

The Bao Buns food truck’s co-owner, Yoseb Vardeh, who was present at the incident, believed the driver had reached speeds of up to 100 km/h (62 mph).

“I think he was going for maximum damage,”he continued to tell the BBC. “I just saw bodies underneath people’s food trucks, and husbands crying out for their wife, or their kids, it was just horrible.”

In response to the terrifying experience, recently elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his “devastatement.”

“I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening,” he posted to Twitter.

“I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver. We are all mourning with you.”

“We are monitoring the situation closely, and thankful to our first responders for their swift action.”

Elizabeth May, co-leader of Canada’s Green Party, has also taken to social media, writing, “My prayers are with Vancouver and its Filipino community as we hold our breath waiting to hear more about the tragedy that took place at Lapu Lapu Day in south Vancouver tonight.”

She added, “I’m horrified and heartbroken that such an attack could occur, and on an occasion celebrating Filipino culture, resilience, and resistance. I am sending my love to affected families.”