ITALY: Car Attack Injures Eight

A man drove his car into pedestrians in the northern Italian city of Modena, injuring eight people, including four seriously, according to officials.

The incident happened around 16:30 local time on Via Emilia near Modena’s cathedral, southeast of Milan.

Witnesses said the vehicle sped toward the pavement before hitting several pedestrians.

“We saw the car approaching, it was heading for the curb,” one witness told Italian media.

The witness added that the car suddenly accelerated and reached high speed before people were struck.

Driver Brandished Knife

The car stopped after crashing into a shop window.

Officials said the driver then got out holding a knife and injured a passer-by who chased him. Several people later restrained the suspect.

Authorities identified the suspect as a 31 year old Italian national of Moroccan origin.

Modena Mayor Massimo Mezzetti said the driver appeared to have deliberately driven onto the pavement before crashing into the shop window.

“He then got out of his car and brandished a knife,” the mayor said.

Victims and Investigation

Officials confirmed that five women and three men suffered injuries during the incident.

Italian media reported that one woman lost both legs after the crash.

Luca Signorelli told local media that he tried to help the injured woman before noticing the driver attempting to flee.

He said the suspect attacked him with a knife during the chase. Signorelli suffered injuries to the head and chest before managing to help restrain the suspect with assistance from other bystanders.

Authorities Respond

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the incident as “extremely serious.”

Officials said the suspect was born in the Bergamo province near Milan and lived in the Modena area.

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini identified the suspect on X as Salim El Koudri.

Italian media reported that the suspect studied economics, was unemployed, and had no criminal record.

During a Saturday evening news conference, Modena prefect Fabrizia Triolo said authorities referred the suspect to a mental health centre in 2022 for schizoid disorders. She added that he later disappeared without trace.