By JOE ROSSITER, REPORTER and ED HOLT Published: 18:15 BST, 16 May 2026 | Updated: 22:01 BST, 16 May 2026
A woman has had both her legs amputated and seven others have been injured after a car ploughed into a crowd of people in an Italian city - as police arrested a 31-year-old man. The harrowing incident took place at around 4.30pm in Modena with four of the victims reported to have been injured critically. Now, Italian police have named the alleged driver as Salim El Koudri - a second-generation Italian born in Bergamo.The authorities have said El Koudri has a history of mental disorders and was known to local mental health services.He was detained and questioned at police headquarters in Modena as investigators tried to determine whether he acted deliberately or has links to other causes. Modena's Mayor Massimo Mezzetti said 'Whatever the nature, it is a very serious act. If it were an attack, it would be even more serious.'El Koudri attempted to flee but was stopped first by some of the citizens involved in the crash and then by police and taken to headquarters for questioning.Witnesses reported the man was holding a knife, but he did not manage to stab anyone.Mr Mezzetti said no one was killed in the dramatic crash but four victims were in serious condition. He said a woman was pinned against a shop window and required the amputation of both legs. A car was pictured with its front end crushed in a Modena street on Saturday after it reportedly mowed down pedestrians and ploughed into a shop window A mangled bike lay near the car - a witness said the driver aimed at the pavement and hit a bicycle Modena's mayor Massimo Mezzetti suggested the driver was of North African origin and said he was in police custodyMr Mezzetti said the vehicle entered one of the city's main streets and the man 'drove onto the sidewalk, sending several people flying,' before crashing into the shop window.Victims were taken to hospitals in Modena and Bologna, including by helicopter for the most critical cases.Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the incident 'extremely serious' in a social media post and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families.Meloni thanked citizens who intervened to help stop the suspect and praised law enforcement, adding she was in contact with local authorities and expected the suspect to be held fully accountable.Emergency services, including police responded to the scene, which was cordoned off as ambulances treated victims in the street.
