A terrifying incident unfolded Saturday in the historic Italian city of Modena, leaving eight people injured—four of them in critical condition—after a driver deliberately drove into a crowd and then stabbed a local who tried to intervene.
According to Modena Mayor Massimo Mezzetti, the suspect, a 31-year-old man, allegedly drove his silver Citroen C3 onto a sidewalk, striking multiple pedestrians before crashing into a shop window. One victim, a 52-year-old woman, was pinned against the storefront and reportedly faces the possibility of having both legs amputated.
The suspect, identified by local media as Salim el Koudri, an Italian citizen of Moroccan descent, was eventually subdued by bystanders before police arrived. Witness Luca Signorelli, who was stabbed during the incident, described the harrowing encounter. “He disappeared behind a row of cars and then suddenly reappeared with a knife in his hand,” Signorelli told reporters, still bleeding. “He was babbling something, but it wasn’t Italian. Two slashing blows came at me—one aimed at the heart, the other at the head. A scuffle broke out. I managed to dodge one of the strikes, but the other one hit me. Then I pinned his wrist. And then I neutralized him.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that she is closely monitoring the situation and has spoken with Mayor Mezzetti and other officials. “I trust that the perpetrator will be held fully accountable for his actions,” she said in a statement.
Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the attack, which has sent shockwaves through the community. Some victims were airlifted to hospitals for urgent care, while others remain in critical condition.
This incident echoes recent tragedies involving vehicles used as weapons, such as the tourist bus tragedy in Mexico that left 11 dead and 30 injured. It also highlights the dangers of reckless driving, as seen in the pickup crash in Florida that killed two teens and injured five others.
As Modena reels from this violence, the resilience of its citizens—like Signorelli, who risked his life to stop the attacker—stands out. The investigation continues, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
