At least eight people were injured on Saturday (local time), four of them seriously, after a driver plowed into pedestrians in the northern Italian city of Modena.
The AP news agency, citing Mayor Massimo Mezzetti, said there were no casualties in the dramatic crash; however, four people were in serious condition. Mezzetti added that the woman was pinned to the window and required amputation of both legs.
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Here is what happened
Describing the incident, Mezzetti said the vehicle drove across one of the city’s main streets and the accused drove onto the sidewalk, sending several people flying,” before crashing into a storefront.
Several witnesses said the accused was holding a knife; however, he did not manage to stab anyone, the mayor said, adding that investigators are still working to determine the motive for the crime. The driver tried to escape but was first stopped by some citizens who were involved in the accident, then by the police and taken to headquarters for questioning.
Of the injured, the victims were transported to hospitals in Modena and Bologna, in the most critical cases by helicopter.
Local authorities identified the suspect as a 31-year-old man born in Bergamo and raised in the province of Modena. He was arrested shortly after. According to a CNN report, the accused is unemployed, has a degree in economics and currently lives with his parents.
A Reuters report, citing Interior Ministry sources, said the driver was being treated for psychiatric disorders, but did not specify the man’s motivation or whether terrorism was a factor.
Officials were working to determine whether he was under the influence of drugs or acting intentionally, the mayor noted.
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Witnesses recall the horror
Onlookers who grappled with the knife-wielding driver recalled the horror witnessed in Modena on Saturday. Luca Signorelli told Reuters that he was trying to help a woman who was seriously injured by a car when the accused tried to flee. He said: “I chased after him,” adding that several others followed to help him. “He disappeared behind a line of cars, then suddenly reappeared with a knife in his hand.
He went on to say: “A fight broke out. I was stabbed twice, once in the heart and once in the head. I managed to dodge one of the two and the second time I grabbed his wrist and blocked him.”
Italian leaders react to the incident
Reacting to the incident, Mezzetti said: “The madman, I don’t know what to call him, the criminal who committed this act got out of the car with a knife.” He added: “Regardless of the nature, this is a very serious act.” “If it was an attack, it would be even more serious,” the mayor noted.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the incident as “extremely serious” in a post on social media. She wrote: “What happened today in Modena, where a man ran over several pedestrians and then allegedly stabbed a bystander, is extremely serious. I express my closeness to the injured people and their families. I also thank the citizens who bravely intervened to stop the perpetrators and law enforcement for their response.”
“I spoke with the mayor and I remain in constant contact with the authorities to monitor the development of the situation. I believe that the perpetrator will be fully responsible for his actions,” added the Italian prime minister.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in a statement on social media that he was coordinating with the interior minister to obtain more information about the case. He also expressed gratitude to law enforcement agencies for arresting the suspect.
