Pedestrians tackled suspect
The head of the Emilia-Romagna region, Michele de Pascale, told the news conference it was an “extremely serious act, but it is important to understand its nature and motive, let us wait for more information”.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote on X that the incident was “extremely serious”.
“I would also like to express my thanks to the citizens who courageously intervened to detain the perpetrator, as well as to the law enforcement officers for their response,” she added.
His head bleeding, Luca Signorelli, one of the passers-by who intervened, told Italian TV channels that he “heard impacts and saw people being run over.
“The car came at me and I managed to throw myself to the ground,” Signorelli added.
“The car was smoking, I opened the door, and he got away; four or five of us ran after him … He pulled out a knife, hit me in the head, and gave another blow to my heart that I managed to avoid.”
Modena mayor Massimo Mezzetti thanked “those citizens who showed courage and civic duty”.
He added: “We need to understand what’s behind this act. But it was a dramatic event.
“I am deeply shaken.”