Taiwanese injured in deadly Vancouver car ramming still unconscious

Taipei, May 1 (CNA) A Taiwanese woman remains unconscious after being injured in a vehicle ramming in Vancouver, Canada, that left 11 people dead on Saturday, according to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver.

The woman, identified only as Sora, with her age and surname undisclosed, was among more than 30 people injured while attending a Filipino community event following a heritage festival celebrating Lapu Lapu Day, which attracted about 10,000 attendees.

Sora, who is in Canada on a working holiday, was knocked to the ground and struck her head after being hit by a black Audi SUV. Despite being rushed to the hospital, she remains unconscious and has sustained multiple fractures and contusions.

Her friends have since contacted her family to inform them of her condition.

Taiwan's representative office in Vancouver and a local Taiwanese hometown association are assisting Sora and her family.

"The hospital and police require Sora's immediate family to handle paperwork, but her mother is currently unable to travel abroad," said Angel Liu (劉立欣), head of the representative office, adding that the Foreign Ministry is working to help other relatives take on that responsibility.

At a press conference held the day after the incident, Steve Rai, interim chief of the Vancouver Police Department, described the incident as "the darkest day in our city's history," saying, "the actions of a single person shattered our collective sense of safety."

The driver, Kai-ji Adam Lo, a man in his 30, was charged on Sunday with eight counts of second-degree murder, with more charges likely.

The victims who died ranged in age from 5 to 65.