The scheduled visit of the Prime Minister of Italy Georgia Meloni to Cyprus will finally not take place today (17/5), as it was deemed necessary for her immediate return to Italy after the serious incident in Montana.

According to a statement by the government spokesman of the Republic of Cyprus, Konstantinos Letibiotis, the Italian Prime Minister is immediately changing her schedule in order to go to the area where a car lured and injured citizens, causing shock to the local community.

The chronicle in Modena

Scenes of panic unfolded yesterday (16/5) in Modena when a car crashed into pedestrians in a central part of the city, injuring at least eight people. Of the injured, four are being treated in a serious condition, while a 55-year-old woman is fighting for her life as her condition is described as extremely critical.

Italian authorities immediately arrested the driver, who is currently being questioned. According to the preliminary investigation, the man was allegedly on medication for psychological problems.

Witness accounts from residents and passersby say the vehicle moved at a terrifying speed, climbed the sidewalk and swerved over citizens. As eyewitnesses note, the car may have been traveling at over 100 kilometers per hour.

What Georgia Meloni said

In a public statement, the prime minister of Italy, Georgia Meloni, described the incident as particularly serious and expressed her support for the injured and their families.

“The incident that occurred today in Montana, where a man lured pedestrians with his car and then allegedly attacked a civilian with a knife, is extremely serious.

I express my solidarity with the injured and their families. I would also like to thank the citizens who showed courage and helped to immobilize the perpetrator, as well as the security forces for their immediate intervention.

I am in constant communication with the mayor and the competent authorities, so that I am constantly informed about the development of the case. I am confident that the person responsible will be brought to justice and held fully accountable for his actions.

Meloni’s immediate return to Italy

As it became known, Georgia Meloni will travel urgently to Montana together with the President of the Italian Republic, in order to be with the injured, their families and the local residents affected by the incident.

In his statement, Constantinos Letibiotis said that the Italian Prime Minister’s visit to Cyprus will take place at a later date, after consultation between the two sides.

“Meloni’s visit to Cyprus will be rescheduled at a time to be agreed,” he said.

The importance of Cyprus-Italy relations

The Cypriot government makes it clear that it attaches particular importance to relations between the two countries, stressing the importance of cooperation both at European and regional level.

The same statement noted that the Republic of Cyprus considers particularly important the further strengthening of ties with Italy, as well as joint coordination on critical issues concerning the region and the European Union.

Cyprus’ message of solidarity

At the same time, the Cypriot side expressed its support to the Italian government and citizens affected by the tragic incident in Montana.

“The Republic of Cyprus expresses its solidarity with the Government, the people of Italy and all those affected by this tragic incident.”