At least 8 injured in Italy after driver rams car into pedestrians; bystanders tackle knife-wielding suspect

At least eight people were injured on Saturday (local time), with four of them critically, after a driver crashed into pedestrians in the northern Italian city of Modena.

Quoting Mayor Massimo Mezzetti, news agency AP reported that there were no casualties in the dramatic crash; however, four people were in serious condition. Mezzetti added that a woman was pinned against a shop window and required the amputation of both legs.

Here's what happened

Describing the incident, Mezzetti said the vehicle made an entry via one of the city's main streets, and the accused drove onto the sidewalk, sending several people flying,” before crashing into the shop window.

Several witnesses reported that the accused was holding a knife; however, he did not manage to stab anyone, the mayor said, adding that investigators are still working to determine the motive behind the act. The driver attempted to flee but was first stopped by some of the citizens involved in the crash, then by police, and taken to headquarters for questioning.

Of those injured, victims were taken to hospitals in Modena and Bologna, including by helicopter in the most critical cases.

Local authorities have identified the suspect as a 31-year-old man born in Bergamo and raised in the province of Modena. He was detained shortly after. According to a CNN report, the accused is unemployed, holds a degree in economics, and is currently living with his parents.

A Reuters report, citing sources in the country's interior ministry, said that the driver was receiving treatment for psychiatric disorders, but did not elaborate on the man's motivations or whether terrorism was a factor.

Officials worked to determine whether he was under the influence of substances or acted deliberately, the mayor noted.

Witnesses recall horror

The bystanders who tackled the knife-wielding driver recalled the horror that was witnessed in Modena on Saturday. Speaking to Reuters, Luca Signorelli said that he was attempting to help a woman who was badly injured by the car when the accused tried to flee. He said, "I chased him,” adding that several others followed to help. “He disappeared behind a row of cars, then suddenly reappeared holding a knife in his hands.”

He further said, "A fight broke out. I was stabbed twice, once in the heart and once in the head. I managed to dodge one of the two, and during the other one, I grabbed his wrist and blocked him.”

Italian leaders react to the incident

Reacting to the incident, Mezzetti said, "The madman, I don’t know what to call him, the criminal who committed this act, he got out of the car brandishing a knife." He added, "Whatever the nature, it is a very serious act." “If it were an attack, it would be even more serious," the mayor noted.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in a social media post, called the incident “extremely serious". She wrote, "What happened today in Modena, where a man ran over several pedestrians and then allegedly stabbed a passerby, is extremely serious. I express my closeness to the injured people and their families. I also extend my thanks to the citizens who bravely intervened to stop the perpetrator and to the law enforcement agencies for their response."

"I have spoken with the Mayor and remain in constant contact with the authorities to follow the developments of the situation. I trust that the perpetrator will be held fully accountable for his actions," the Italian Premier added.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in a social media statement that he was coordinating with the interior minister to obtain further information on the case. He also expressed gratitude to law enforcement for arresting the suspect.