Driver plows into pedestrians in Italy's Modena, injuring 8, 4 critically, mayor says
Key Points:
- In Modena, northern Italy, a driver identified as Salim El Koudri injured eight pedestrians, four critically, by driving onto a sidewalk and crashing into a shop window before attempting to flee and being detained by police.
- El Koudri, a 31-year-old second-generation Italian with a degree in economics, is known to local mental health services for schizoid disorders, and investigators are examining whether the act was deliberate or linked to mental instability.
- No evidence was found that El Koudri was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, nor were there any connections to extremist groups; his home was searched as part of the ongoing investigation.
- Victims were hospitalized in Modena and Bologna, with some airlifted by helicopter, and one woman suffered severe injuries requiring amputation of both legs.
- Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni condemned the incident as "extremely serious," expressed solidarity with the victims, and praised citizens and law enforcement for their response.