Toronto: a van ploughs into a crowd

At around 1.30 pm local time (7.30 pm French time) in Toronto (Canada), a white hire van ploughed into pedestrians over a distance of several hundred metres. According to CNN, the police have arrested the driver. The Toronto police chief announced an initial death toll of nine, with 16 people injured. According to Sunnybrook Hospital, five victims are in a critical condition.

After a van struck pedestrians in Toronto, a law enforcement official briefed on the situation told CNN that the incident is believed to have been deliberate. https://t.co/gmF5ADLuSapic.twitter.com/790zMxq1W3

— CNN (@CNN) 23 April 2018

The Mayor of Toronto, John Tory, has expressed his solidarity with the victims. The police are asking people to contact 911 only in an emergency. For non-emergency calls, please contact 416 808 2222. An investigation is underway to determine whether this was an accident or a deliberate act.  The suspect has been charged with murder with intent and attempted murder. John Tory has thanked the first responders, paramedics, firefighters and police officers who attended the scene.