On Saturday, May 16, a car hit pedestrians in the city center of Modena, a northern city in Italy, leaving 7 people injured.
According to Italian authorities, the incident took place on the bustling pedestrian street of via Emilia centro in Modena. The driver, a man in his thirties, has been arrested, and there is no further immediate danger at the scene.
Prior reports from Italian media stated that the car hit pedestrians before crashing into a store window and the driver also stabbed a pedestrian who tried to stop him.
The vehicle involved was a Citroën C3. It was speeding towards Largo Garibaldi and lost control near largo Porta Bologna, sweeping pedestrians off the street before crashing into the storefront of a clothing store called Dallari Abbigliamento.
After the vehicle was destroyed, the driver himself was injured and tried to flee on foot. When a passerby attempted to intervene, the driver stabbed them. Subsequently, the police managed to subdue and arrest him at the intersection of rua Pioppa and corso Adriano.
Officials have confirmed that at least 7 people were injured, while initial reports from some media outlets suggested that around 10 individuals were affected.
Among the injured, 4 are in serious condition, with 2 critically injured individuals being urgently airlifted to a hospital in Bologna. The remaining injured individuals received initial treatment on-site from ambulances and medical personnel before being evacuated.
The driver involved is an Italian citizen of foreign descent, born in Bergamo province and currently residing in Modena province. The police disclosed that the man had no prior criminal record and is now under further interrogation at the police station.
Modena’s Mayor, Massimo Mezzetti, rushed to the scene to gather information promptly.
This incident has sparked high concern from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is in close contact with the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, and officials responsible for national security. The National Police (Polizia di Stato) is conducting a comprehensive investigation into the motives behind the man’s violent actions.