ROME (AP) — On Saturday, a devastating incident occurred in the northern Italian city of Modena when a driver, identified as Salim El Koudri, plowed into a group of pedestrians. The attack left eight individuals injured, with four in critical condition. Authorities apprehended the 31-year-old driver, who is known to have mental health disorders, after he attempted to flee the scene. Local officials confirmed that El Koudri is a second-generation Italian, born in Bergamo and residing in the province of Modena, and he is currently unemployed despite holding a degree in economics.
Investigative teams are currently working to determine whether El Koudri's actions were deliberate. At a press conference held on Saturday evening, officials indicated there was no immediate evidence to suggest he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident. His residence was also searched as part of the ongoing investigation.
Modena Prefect Fabrizia Triolo revealed that El Koudri had been previously registered with local mental health services for schizoid disorders. While early assessments suggest potential mental instability, thorough verification is still pending. Authorities were quick to clarify that no connections to extremist groups were discovered during their investigation.
Mayor Massimo Mezzetti provided updates on the tragic events, confirming that while there were no fatalities, four victims remain in critical condition. Notably, one woman involved in the incident was pinned against a shop window and tragically required both legs to be amputated as a result of her injuries. The mayor described how the vehicle entered one of Modena's main streets, veering onto the sidewalk and sending multiple pedestrians flying before colliding with the shop window.
Victims were promptly transported to hospitals in Modena and Bologna, with some critical cases requiring helicopter transport. Eyewitnesses reported seeing El Koudri wielding a knife; however, the mayor stated that he did not manage to stab anyone during the chaotic scene. Investigators are still assessing whether his actions were intentional or may have stemmed from other factors.
Mayor Mezzetti labeled the incident as a "very serious act," emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation. He indicated that if this were indeed a planned attack, the severity of the event would escalate significantly.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni expressed her concerns regarding the incident, calling it "extremely serious" in a social media post. She extended her thoughts and solidarity to the victims and their families, praised the citizens who intervened to stop El Koudri, and commended law enforcement agencies for their swift response. Premier Meloni is in communication with local authorities and expects the driver to be held fully accountable for his actions.
Emergency services, including police, carabinieri, and financial police, rushed to the scene. They cordoned off the area as ambulances arrived to treat the injured individuals, underscoring the urgent and critical nature of the response to this shocking incident.
