At least 11 people killed after driver ploughs SUV into crowd at Vancouver Lapu Lapu Festival

At least 11 people were killed when a driver ploughed into a crowd at a Filipino cultural celebration in Vancouver, police in the Canadian city said Sunday.

Police said the suspect, a 30-year-old Vancouver man, was arrested at the scene, according to a post on X. While the investigation is ongoing, police are "confident" the incident wasn't an act of terrorism and there's no ongoing danger to the public, they added.

Vancouver police said the driver is in custody and more information will be provided as their investigation unfolds, according to a post on X.

Authorities said they did not suspect "an act of terrorism" after a driver plowed into a street party on Saturday in the Canadian city, killing a number of people.

"At this time, we are confident that this incident was not an act of terrorism," police said in an X post early Sunday morning.

The incident occurred just after 8pm on Saturday evening during the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party, held near East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street in Vancouver.

Saturday's event featured a parade, a film screening, dancing and a concert, with two members of the Black Eyed Peas featured on the lineup published by the organisers.

Lapu Lapu Day is celebrated in the Philippines in remembrance of indigenous chief Lapulapu, who led his men to defeat Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in battle in 1521.

The exact number of casualties remains unclear as emergency services continue to respond.

The United Arab Emirates has condemned the car-ramming attack in Vancouver.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) reaffirmed the UAE’s firm rejection of all forms of violence targeting innocent people and aiming to undermine security and stability. It described the incident as a deplorable criminal act.

The Ministry also expressed solidarity with the governments and people of Canada and the Philippines, extending its wishes for a swift recovery to all those injured.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his condolences following the deadly incident.

"I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening," Carney wrote on X. "We are all mourning with you."

Don Davies, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Kingsway, described the incident as a “horrific attack” in a post on X.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim also expressed his condolences, stating, “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today’s Lapu-Lapu Day event. Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time.”