‘A Man, who was driving a private car, is alleged to have intentionally injured seven pedestrians in Modena, Italy.
According to evidence so far, it does not appear that he was under the influence of drugs or in a state of intoxication.
According to Italian authorities, he injured eight people, of whom four are in serious condition. Among them a woman, 55 years old, is in a very critical condition.
The perpetrator, who has been arrested and is being questioned, is 31 years old, was receiving treatment and was experiencing psychological problems, and according to eyewitnesses the car he was driving went up the pavement at dizzying speedwhich may have exceeded 100 kilometres.
The perpetrator, named Elkundi Salim,who has Italian nationality and hails from Morocco, then got out of the car and several citizens who had seen what had happened tried to stop him. Salim took a knife out of his pocket and wounded a man. Immediately afterwards, police managed to stun him.
According to evidence so far, eyewitnesses stated that the man had targeted pedestrians who were on the sidewalk before ending his frenzied run into a car window.
The mayor of Modena, Massimo Mezzetti, described the incident as “dramatic and extremely serious“, stressing that all possibilities remain open as to the motives for the action. At the same time, he thanked the citizens who helped to immobilize the perpetrator, calling it an “act of courage and social responsibility.”
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the incident as “extremely serious“.
Police investigations are continuing to clarify the circumstances under which the incident occurred, as well as clarify the driver’s motives.
