A man drove a car into a crowd of pedestrians in the northern Italian city of Modena on Saturday, injuring eight people, including four who remain in serious condition, according to local officials.
Among the victims was a woman who reportedly suffered catastrophic injuries and had both legs amputated following the attack.
Authorities said the incident unfolded when the vehicle sped along Via Emilia near Modena’s historic cathedral area before mounting the pavement and crashing into a shop window. Witnesses described scenes of panic as pedestrians were thrown into the air.
“We saw the car approaching the kerb and suddenly accelerating,” one eyewitness told Italian media. “It was going extremely fast. We saw people flying.”
After the car came to a stop, the driver allegedly emerged carrying a knife and attacked a passer-by who attempted to chase and stop him. The suspect was eventually restrained with the help of nearby civilians before police arrived.
Officials identified the suspect as a 31-year-old Italian national of Moroccan origin. Authorities said he had previously been referred to a mental health center in 2022 for what were described as schizoid disorders, but later disappeared from treatment.
At least five women and three men were injured in the attack.
Giorgia Meloni described the incident as “extremely serious” and cancelled a planned visit to Cyprus. She is expected to visit the victims alongside Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
Modena Mayor Massimo Mezzetti said preliminary investigations suggest the driver intentionally targeted pedestrians.
“He deliberately drove onto the pavement, hitting several people before crashing into a shop window,” the mayor said. “He then got out of the vehicle and brandished a knife.”
One of the civilians who confronted the suspect, Luca Signorelli, told reporters he tried to help an injured woman before noticing the driver attempting to flee. Signorelli said he chased the suspect and was struck in the head and chest with the knife before managing to restrain him with assistance from others nearby.
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini later identified the suspect on social media as Salim El Koudri. Italian media reports say the suspect is an unemployed economics graduate with no previous criminal record.
Police have launched a full investigation into the motive behind the attack.