At least eight people were injured after a driver allegedly deliberately rammed a car into pedestrians in Modena, before attacking a bystander with a knife while attempting to flee.
According to local authorities, the incident happened on Saturday when the vehicle suddenly mounted a pavement and ploughed into multiple pedestrians.
Massimo Mezzetti said four victims suffered serious injuries, with two of them airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in Bologna, around 40 kilometres away.
Italian media reported that one female victim suffered severe injuries resulting in the amputation of both legs.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as people were knocked to the ground while the car sped through the crowded area.
The suspect’s vehicle eventually crashed into a shopfront window, after which he allegedly attempted to escape on foot.
During the chaos, the suspect reportedly pulled out a knife and stabbed a man who tried to stop him.
The injured bystander suffered minor wounds before police officers arrived and arrested the suspect at the scene.
A witness told local media he heard people screaming and falling behind him before turning around and seeing the vehicle heading towards pedestrians.
He claimed the suspect appeared disoriented and possibly under the influence of alcohol or drugs, although authorities have not confirmed this.
According to Italy’s Interior Ministry, the suspect is a 30-year-old man of North African descent who was born in Bergamo.
Officials said the man had reportedly been undergoing treatment for mental health issues.
Police are currently investigating the motive behind the attack and have not classified the incident as terrorism.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni later expressed sympathy for the victims and their families in a statement posted on social media platform X.
She described the incident as extremely serious and said authorities would fully investigate the case to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini sparked debate after publicly highlighting the suspect’s North African background online, reigniting discussions in Italy over immigration and public safety concerns.
