World

At least eight injured as car rams into pedestrians in Italian city of Modena

By Sara Rossi Reuters

Updated May 16, 2026 4:53 PM

Police work at the scene after several people were injured when a car drove into pedestrians in the center of the northern Italian city of Modena, Italy, May 16, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer — Police work at the scene after several people were injured when a car drove into pedestrians in the center of the northern Italian city of Modena, Italy, May 16, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer Stringer Reuters

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MILAN - A man drove a car into a crowd in the northern Italian city of Modena, injuring at least eight people, four of whom are in serious condition, police said.

The driver - a 30-year-old born in Bergamo and of North African origin, who had moved to the province that includes Modena - attempted to flee after the car crashed into a shop window, Modena's mayor told broadcaster RaiNews24.

The fleeing driver was stopped by some pedestrians, one of whom he attacked with a knife and slightly injured. The driver was later arrested by police.

The driver was receiving treatment for psychiatric disorders, a source in the Interior Ministry said, without elaborating on the man's motivations or whether terrorism was a factor.

Among the injured, four were in serious condition and two were airlifted to a hospital in Bologna, around 40 kilometers from Modena, the city's mayor, Massimo Mezzetti, told RaiNews24.

MAYOR DESCRIBES DELIBERATE ATTACK

"It seems (the driver) deliberately drove onto the sidewalk, hitting several people," Mezzetti said.

The man who was stabbed by the driver told RaiNews24 he heard people falling and threw himself to the ground as the car approached. He said the driver appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Authorities have not confirmed this.

"I express my solidarity with those who were injured and their families," Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted on social media platform X.

"What happened in Modena is extremely serious. I trust the person responsible will be held fully accountable for his actions," she added.

Matteo Salvini, leader of the anti-immigrant League Party, also posted on X, highlighting the driver's North African origins and calling him a "second-generation criminal."

(Reporting by Sara Rossi in Milan; Additional reporting by Giselda Vagnoni in Rome; Editing by Mark Potter and Matthew Lewis)

The car that drove into pedestrians is removed from the scene after several people were injured in the center of the northern Italian city of Modena, Italy, May 16, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer — The car that drove into pedestrians is removed from the scene after several people were injured in the center of the northern Italian city of Modena, Italy, May 16, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer Stringer Reuters

A damaged grocery store after several people were injured when a car drove into pedestrians in the center of the northern Italian city of Modena, Italy, May 16, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer — A damaged grocery store after several people were injured when a car drove into pedestrians in the center of the northern Italian city of Modena, Italy, May 16, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer Stringer Reuters

People look on at the scene after several people were injured when a car drove into pedestrians in the center of the northern Italian city of Modena, Italy, May 16, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer — People look on at the scene after several people were injured when a car drove into pedestrians in the center of the northern Italian city of Modena, Italy, May 16, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer Stringer Reuters

People gather behind police tape near the scene after several people were injured when a car drove into pedestrians in the center of the northern Italian city of Modena, Italy, May 16, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer — People gather behind police tape near the scene after several people were injured when a car drove into pedestrians in the center of the northern Italian city of Modena, Italy, May 16, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer Stringer Reuters

Police officers work at the scene after several people were injured when a car drove into pedestrians in the center of the northern Italian city of Modena, Italy, May 16, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer — Police officers work at the scene after several people were injured when a car drove into pedestrians in the center of the northern Italian city of Modena, Italy, May 16, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer Stringer Reuters

CCTV footage shows a car ramming into pedestrians in Modena, Italy May 16, 2026 in this frame grab from social media video. Social Media/Handout via REUTERS — CCTV footage shows a car ramming into pedestrians in Modena, Italy May 16, 2026 in this frame grab from social media video. Social Media/Handout via REUTERS Social Media Reuters

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 16, 2026 at 3:53 PM.