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Black Eyed Peas member Apl.de.Ap released a statement on Instagram, sharing that they were minutes away from the Lapu Lapu festival day tragedy in Vancouver that took 11 lives.
On April 26, an SUV crashed into a street festival in Vancouver celebrating the Lapu Lapu day, a Filipino-Canadian festival celebrating a Filipino national hero who fought against Spanish Colonisation.
The car crash killed at least 11 people and injured dozens others. In his statement, Black Eyed Peas member, Apl.de.Ap mentioned that he had just performed at the festival, and was shocked to see the events unfold,
"Our hearts are broken for the victims, their families, and everyone affected by the tragedy at the Lapu-Lapu festival. J-Rey and I had just finished performing and left the stage minutes before it happened. It's hard to describe the shock and the heaviness we feel."
The artist also included details of the organisation offering support to victims in his caption. While speaking to reporters on April 27, Interim Vancouver police chief, reported that the incident was "the darkest day in the city's history" and that a 30-year old suspect is in police custody.
More about the Lapu Lapu festival crash where the Black Eyed Peas member performed
Black Eyed Peas member, Apl.de.Ap performed the headlining act the Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver on April 26. Shortly after his performance, a black Audi SUV drove into the crowd, killing 11 people and injuring many others.
The interim Vancouver police chief, Steve Rai while speaking to reporters on April 27, detailed the events of the incident noting,
"The vehicle that struck festival-goers approached the festival area from the west on East 43rd Avenue. It entered a small crowd, an enclosed area, and drove through the crowd. There were hundreds of festival-goers still on the street and multiple people were struck by the vehicle."
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Rai also gave information about the 30-year old suspect in police custody and noted that the suspect "does have a significant history of interactions with police and health care professionals related to mental health."
The Vancouver police also took to X to confirm that the incident was "not an act of terrorism." Another artist, Kaya Ko who kicked off the main-stage performance during the festival afternoon took to her Instagram story noting that the incident was "not an accident" but a "massacre." The artist also prayed for the people that lost their lives and their families.
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