Although the suspects are still at large, police have charged them with first degree murder, attempted murder and breaking and entering a residence, the RCMP said Monday.
“This is certainly a very significant event, if not the largest we have seen in recent years,” RCMP Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore said.
Some victims were apparently targeted while others may have been randomly attacked, police said.
Authorities are urging residents in the area to be vigilant and take precautions, including sheltering in place in some communities, as the suspects remain at large.
“Relentless” overnight attempts to locate the two men have failed, Regina’s police chief said in a Monday update.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “shocked and devastated” by the attacks.
“As Canadians, we mourn with all those affected by this tragic violence and with the people of Saskatchewan. We also wish a full and speedy recovery to the injured,” Trudeau said in a statement late Sunday.
As the manhunt continues, here’s what we know:
How did the attacks take place?
Police received the first report of a James Smith Cree Nation stabbing at 5:40 a.m. local time (6:40 a.m. ET), and within minutes several more calls came in reporting more stabbings stabbing in the community, police said.
Within hours, the situation escalated into a mass stabbing event with at least 25 victims, 10 of whom died, police said.
Three STARS Air Ambulance helicopters were dispatched to James Smith’s Cree Nation during the attack, company spokesman Mark Oddan told CNN. The first crew to arrive jumped into casualty triage and the second plane brought in a medic to help with triage and lead the emergency response, he said.
Helicopter crews took some victims to Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon and several other patients were brought to local hospitals by land ambulances, Oddan said. He was unable to provide details about the patients or their conditions.
Several dangerous person alerts were issued by police throughout the morning, spreading across the province of Saskatchewan and neighboring Manitoba and Alberta.
“To everyone in Saskatchewan, especially those near the James Smith Cree First Nation area, please shelter in place and stay safe,” he tweeted.
Authorities have identified 13 separate scenes where the attacks took place. There may be other victims who were injured and taken to hospital, police said, urging potential victims to contact law enforcement.
“Our hearts go out to the many deceased and injured victims, their families, friends and communities. It is horrific what happened in our province today,” Blackmore said.
Who are the suspects?
Less than three hours after the first attack was reported, police identified Damian Sanderson and Myles Sanderson as suspects in the series of stabbings.
Damien Sanderson, 31, is described by authorities as 5ft 7in and 155lbs with black hair and brown eyes. Myles Sanderson, 30, is 6-foot-1 and weighs 240 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes, police said.
Officials did not say if the pair were related.
The vehicle they were supposed to be driving was reportedly spotted around 11:45 a.m. in Regina, police said. Regina is over 300 kilometers (186 miles) south of the James Smith Cree Nation.
“That’s why we need everyone in the province to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity by calling 911 immediately,” Blackmore said in a statement Sunday. “If you see the suspects and/or their vehicle, do not approach them or their vehicle, leave the area immediately and call 911.”
In a message to the two suspects, Blackmore said: “If Damien and Myles listen to or receive this information, I will ask them to turn into police officers immediately.”
What was the response from officials?
The attacks have shaken Canadian residents and officials.
“There are no words to adequately describe the pain and loss caused by this senseless violence. All of Saskatchewan mourns with the victims and their families,” Moe wrote.
RCMP in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba are jointly investigating the stabbings.
“We are devoting maximum resources to this investigation,” Blackmore said.
Two emergency centers have been set up to “provide health support” to affected communities, leaders of the James Smith Cree Nation said in a statement.
“The Club operates a centralized command (centre) on matchday which allows immediate connection to local emergency services and the ability to receive up-to-the-minute information in the event of an emergency,” the team said in a statement. communicated on Twitter.
CNN’s Paula Newton and Amir Vera contributed to this report.