Eight people were injured, two of them seriously, after a car drove into a group of pedestrians in the northern Italian city of Modena on Saturday.
Police said the driver, who is in his 30s, has been arrested. He is also accused of trying to stab a passerby who attempted to stop him from fleeing the scene.
According to reports in the Italian press, the car crashed into a shop window after hitting the pedestrians on a road in the city center.
The driver is alleged to have “aimed for the sidewalk, hitting a bike” before crashing “head-on” into a woman, Modena’s mayor, Massimo Mezzetti, told the Ansa news agency. The mayor said the woman’s legs were crushed on impact.
The mayor of Modena said the driver hit a bicycle. Photograph: LaPresse/Shutterstock
The mayor said the driver is an Italian national, born in the Lombardy city of Bergamo, of North African origin, and lives in the Modena area.
The two seriously injured pedestrians were taken to Maggiore hospital in Bologna.
Mezzetti said the circumstances of the incident are still unclear.
Italian press reports said four or five people helped catch the driver after chasing him. One man told Ansa that the driver disappeared behind parked cars before reappearing, allegedly “with a knife in his hand.”
Mezzetti said, “He was seen with a knife in his hand, but he didn’t manage to stab anyone. It seems like he was trying to hit someone.” He added, “We need to understand what’s behind this act. But it was a dramatic event. I am deeply shaken. Whatever it was, it was extremely serious. If it turns out to be an attack, that would be even more serious.”
The mayor thanked the people who helped capture the driver, saying “they showed courage and great civic sense.”
One of the injured pedestrians told Rai news that he saw the car crash onto the sidewalk “at high speed” and heard the sound of “people being hit.” “It was coming in the same direction as me, and I managed to jump out of the way,” he said. The man added that the driver appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, although authorities haven’t confirmed this.
In a message posted on social media, Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, expressed her solidarity “with those who were injured and their families.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the incident in northern Italy written in a natural tone with clear and concise answers
Frequently Asked Questions
1 What exactly happened in northern Italy
A man drove a car into a group of pedestrians in the city of Trento Seven people were injured and taken to the hospital
2 Was this a terrorist attack
Authorities have not officially labeled it as terrorism The driver was arrested and the investigation is ongoing to determine his motive Early reports suggest it may have been a deliberate act but the specific reason is still unclear
3 Where did this happen
The incident took place in Trento a city in the northern Italian region of TrentinoAlto AdigeSdtirol
4 How many people were hurt
Seven people were injured Thankfully at the time of reporting none of the injuries were lifethreatening
5 Was the driver arrested
Yes the driver was immediately stopped and arrested by police at the scene
6 What was the drivers motive
The motive is still under investigation Police are looking into the drivers background and possible connections to extremist groups but no official motive has been released yet
7 Is this related to other recent attacks in Europe
It is too early to say While vehicleramming attacks have been used by extremists in Europe and elsewhere each incident is investigated on its own There is no confirmed link to any other event at this time
8 How are the victims doing
All seven victims were taken to local hospitals Reports indicate their injuries were not critical and they are expected to recover
9 What should I do if Im in a crowded area and see a car behaving suspiciously
Trust your instincts Move away from the vehicles path seek cover behind solid objects and alert authorities as soon as you are safe Avoid standing near the edge of sidewalks or in open pedestrian zones
10 Has this happened in Italy before
Yes there have been similar vehicleramming incidents in Italy in the past though they are rare The most notable recent one was in Turin in 2017 which was linked to a farright extremist
11 What safety measures are being taken in Italian cities now
Police presence has been increased in major
