A shocking violent incident unfolded in the historic northern Italian city of Modena on Thursday, leaving eight people wounded after a man in his 30s deliberately drove his vehicle into pedestrians before launching a stabbing spree, local authorities confirmed. Of those injured, four are in critical condition, including one woman who suffered devastating crushing injuries to both legs, according to initial official reports. The attack unfolded at approximately 16:30 local time, which translates to 14:30 GMT, in the busy central district of Modena, a city located roughly 45 kilometers southeast of Milan.
Modena Mayor Massimo Mezzetti told reporters that early investigations indicate the driver intentionally veered his speeding car onto a crowded pedestrian sidewalk, striking multiple people before crashing through the glass front of a local shop. After exiting his wrecked vehicle, the suspect pulled out a knife and began threatening and attacking bystanders. One civilian who stepped in to intervene during the chaos suffered only minor injuries, authorities added.
Quick action from members of the public prevented further harm: eyewitnesses and passersby immediately pursued the suspect after the attack, successfully overpowering and detaining him before turning him over to responding law enforcement officers. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a statement shortly after the incident, calling the event “extremely serious” and expressing concern over the violence. Mayor Mezzetti echoed the prime minister’s sentiment, noting that the incident would carry even graver implications if investigators confirm the attack was premeditated.
Officials have confirmed the suspect is an Italian national who was born in Bergamo, a city in northern Italy’s Lombardy region, and has Maghreb ancestry. He has been a resident of the Modena province for an undisclosed period, and local Italian media outlets have already published his full identity following the attack. Law enforcement have not yet released an official motive for the attack, with investigations ongoing as of Thursday evening.