Brief: Car Incident in Modena Injures Eight
A car drove into a crowd in Modena, Italy, on Saturday, injuring at least eight people. The driver, 31-year-old Salim El Koudri, reportedly crashed into a store window and also stabbed a passerby who tried to help.
Mayor Massimo Mezzetti informed local media that none of the injuries were fatal, but four individuals are in serious condition, with one woman possibly facing amputation after being trapped against the window by the vehicle.
According to Mezzetti, the car veered onto the sidewalk on a busy street, sending people flying before it struck the shop. Authorities revealed that El Koudri is originally from Bergamo but grew up in Modena. He has no employment and has a history of mental health issues, although there are currently no proven ties to extremist groups.
El Koudri has been detained for questioning while police investigate whether his actions were intentional. There was no indication that he was under the influence during the incident.
Modena Prefect Fabrizia Triolo shared with the Associated Press that El Koudri was previously known to mental health services for schizoid disorders, raising concerns about his mental state.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the event “extremely serious” in a statement, expressing her support for the victims and gratitude to those who intervened. She stated she is in ongoing communication with local authorities to keep up with the situation and insisted that the driver must face full accountability for his actions.
This is a developing story, and further updates will follow.
