Deliberate-looking car attack leaves four seriously injured as Meloni demands full accountability for victims.
Eight people were injured in the northern Italian city of Modena on Saturday after a car struck pedestrians in the city center, with four victims reported to be in serious condition.
Police arrested the driver, identified by authorities as a man in his early 30s. Modena Mayor Massimo Mezzetti said the suspect was an Italian citizen born in Bergamo, of North African origin, and living in the Modena area. Authorities are investigating whether the act was deliberate and whether the driver was under the influence of substances.
According to the mayor, the vehicle appeared to mount the pavement before hitting several pedestrians and crashing into a shop window. The driver then reportedly tried to flee while holding a knife, before being stopped by citizens and later detained by police. One person who tried to intervene suffered minor injuries.
Emergency teams transferred victims to hospitals in Modena and Bologna, with the most critical cases taken by helicopter. Officials said there was no further danger after the arrest, but the incident shocked the city and triggered an immediate national response.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the incident extremely serious and expressed solidarity with the injured and their families. She also thanked the citizens who intervened and praised security forces for their quick action.
The attack has renewed concerns over public safety, urban security, and the ability of European cities to respond quickly when vehicles are used as weapons against civilians. Investigators are now working to determine the driver’s motive and whether the crash was planned, reckless, or linked to a mental health or substance-related crisis.
