Seven people sustained injuries, with two reported to be in a serious condition, after a man deliberately drove a car into a group of pedestrians in the northern Italian city of Modena on Saturday. The incident prompted a swift police response, leading to the arrest of the driver.
Authorities confirmed that the individual apprehended is a man in his thirties. In addition to driving into the crowd, he is also alleged to have attempted to stab a passerby who intervened to try and stop him. The exact motive behind the attack remains unclear as investigations are ongoing.
Emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene in Modena to provide assistance to the injured. The two individuals described as seriously hurt are currently receiving medical attention, though further details on their conditions have not yet been released. The other five victims sustained less severe injuries.
Such incidents involving vehicles being used as weapons against pedestrians have become a worrying trend in various parts of Europe in recent years. While the full context of this particular event is still being established, Italian police will be working to determine if there were any premeditated intentions or links to broader issues.
The local community in Modena has expressed shock following the events. Police cordon-offs were put in place around the incident site as forensic teams began their work, gathering evidence to piece together the sequence of events and understand the full scope of the attack.