Eight people were injured, four critically, after a car drove into a crowd in the historic centre of Modena, in northern Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. The incident occurred on a busy street, sending shockwaves through the city known for its medieval architecture and automotive heritage.
Mayor Massimo Mezzetti confirmed the toll on Italian television, describing a scene of chaos. One woman was pinned against a shop window and may require the amputation of both legs. Two of the critically injured were transferred to the Maggiore Hospital in Bologna, while two remain in Modena’s hospital.
The driver, a 31-year-old Italian citizen of Moroccan origin living in the province of Modena, was detained shortly after the attack. He has no prior criminal record, according to the mayor. Authorities are questioning him at police headquarters to determine whether he was under the influence of substances or acted with premeditation.
Eyewitness Accounts and Government Response
Early witnesses reported that the driver “aimed for the sidewalk, hitting a bike, then crashed while slamming head-on into a woman, badly hurt with both legs crushed.” The car eventually crashed into a shop window. Mayor Mezzetti added that witnesses saw the man with a weapon, though he did not manage to stab anyone. “It appears that he tried to strike someone,” the mayor said.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is closely monitoring the situation, according to parliamentary sources. She has been in contact with Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, who oversees national security. The anti-terrorism unit is involved in the investigation. Meloni later wrote on X: “What happened today in Modena, where a man ran over several pedestrians and then is reported to have stabbed a passer-by, is extremely serious. I express my solidarity with the injured and their families. I trust that the person responsible will be held fully accountable for his actions.”
Mayor Mezzetti thanked citizens who intervened bravely and law enforcement for their swift action. “We need to understand what’s behind this act. But it was a dramatic event,” he said.
The attack comes amid broader European concerns about public safety and radicalisation. Italy has faced sporadic incidents of vehicular attacks in recent years, though the motive in this case remains unclear. The country’s migration and security policies have been a focus of Meloni’s government, which has pushed for stricter border controls and integration measures.
Modena, a city of about 185,000, is known for its UNESCO-listed cathedral and as the birthplace of opera tenor Luciano Pavarotti and sports car makers Ferrari and Maserati. The incident has unsettled residents and visitors alike, with the city centre cordoned off for hours as police gathered evidence.
The investigation continues, with authorities examining the driver’s background, digital footprint, and possible connections. No group has claimed responsibility, and terrorism has not been ruled out. The case underscores the challenges European cities face in balancing open public spaces with security, a theme echoed in reports on prison overcrowding and broader justice system strains across the EU.
