Two Koreans killed in Toronto van attack

Bouquets of flowers are placed at a makeshift memorial to the victims as a woman writes her condolences after a van mounted a sidewalk crashing into pedestrians in Toronto on Monday (local time). The rented van jumped onto the crowded sidewalk, killing and injuring people before the driver fled and was quickly arrested in a confrontation with police. / AP

A police officer patrols along Yonge Street in northern Toronto. / EPA

By Jung Min-ho

Two Koreans were killed and one was injured in a van attack in Toronto, the Korean government said Tuesday (KST).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said two Koreans were killed and one was seriously wounded as a result of the attack, in which a van plowed into pedestrians in the Canadian city. Their identities have not been disclosed.

The government has sent consular officials to local hospitals and police stations to help them and their families.

"The foreign ministry has taken necessary steps, including contacting the families of the victims, and plans to provide relevant consular support," a ministry official said.

A large Korean community is in the area. The incident occurred when people rushed out for lunch.

According to reports, a man deliberately plowed his white Ryder rental van into a lunch-hour crowd, killing 10 people and injuring 15.

The suspect, Alek Minassian, 25, of Richmond Hill, Ontario, is in custody. Minassian was arrested about 30 minutes after police received the emergency call.

"The incident definitely looked deliberate,'' Police Chief Mark Saunders told reporters at a news conference.

Minassian, who lives in the Toronto suburb of Richmond Hill, had not been known to police previously.

So far, officials have not called the attack an act of terrorism.

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