Modena, Italy. Italian authorities are investigating after a car drove into pedestrians in Modena’s city centre, injuring eight people and leading to the arrest of a 31-year-old suspect. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella travelled to Modena on Sunday.
Incident and arrests
Prosecutors said Salim El Koudri, 31, born in Italy and of Moroccan origin, allegedly drove at high speed through Via Emilia on Saturday and struck pedestrians in a crowded area. Authorities said eight people were injured, four of them seriously.
Prosecutors said the suspect attempted to flee and stabbed one of three passersby who tried to stop him. Police later arrested him.
Investigation and injuries
Modena’s prosecutors said on Sunday that the suspect is under investigation for attempted massacre and personal injury. They said the pedestrians were hit “in an indiscriminate, random and deliberate manner”.
Among those seriously injured, prosecutors said two people lost their legs and one was in a life-threatening condition.
Political response
Government sources said Meloni cancelled a meeting in Nicosia with Cyprus’ president to travel to Modena alongside Mattarella.
Prosecutors said they were seeking to establish the suspect’s motives.
Italy’s far-right Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who leads the anti-immigrant League party, called on X on Sunday for the revocation of residence permits for those who commit crimes.
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