A 31-year-old man is facing charges of massacre and aggravated injury after driving his car at high speed into a crowd in the center of Modena, leaving seven people injured and sending shockwaves through the city. The suspect, identified as Salim El Koudri, was detained after crashing into a shop window and attempting to flee on foot, during which he stabbed one of the citizens who pursued him.
The attack, which occurred in the heart of the city, has prompted a high-level state response. President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited the injured in private at hospitals in Modena and Bologna, signaling the gravity of the event. While the anti-terrorism unit of the DDA in Bologna is monitoring the case, investigators have stated that early analyses of the suspect’s electronic devices show no signs of radicalization or links to jihadist groups.
The injured are currently being treated across multiple facilities. According to health officials, four of the seven victims remain in serious condition. Among them is a woman who suffered the amputation of both legs; while initial reports suggested two people had undergone such procedures, medical sources later clarified that only one woman sustained these injuries.
The moments of chaos and civil courage
The violence erupted suddenly as El Koudri launched his vehicle into pedestrians on Via Emilia Centro. The carnage was only halted when a group of bystanders intervened to block the driver’s escape. Luca Signorelli, one of the first to tackle the suspect, has since been hailed as a symbol of civic courage, receiving an ovation upon his arrival at the Baggiovara hospital.
In a critical moment of first aid, an off-duty officer from the 9th Paratroopers Assault Regiment “Col Moschin” intervened. Recognizing the severity of the injuries sustained by the woman with amputated limbs, the officer used a tourniquet from his backpack to stem the bleeding, a move credited with stabilizing her until emergency services arrived.
Modena Mayor Massimo Mezzetti emphasized that the intervention to stop the attacker was a collective effort. He noted that the group who immobilized El Koudri included Egyptian and Pakistani citizens, urging the public not to generalize or succumb to hatred in the wake of the tragedy.
Profile of the suspect: mental health and background
Salim El Koudri, born in Bergamo and a resident of Ravarino, holds a degree in economics but was unemployed at the time of the attack. Investigators have revealed that El Koudri had been receiving treatment for psychiatric issues, including symptoms of schizophrenia, between 2022 and 2024. However, he was not under a compulsory medical treatment order (TSO).
A search of his residence uncovered “strong signs of instability,” though tests confirmed he was negative for alcohol and narcotics at the time of the incident. In Ravarino, the local community and the imam of the local Islamic association described the suspect’s family as hardworking and unremarkable, expressing shock that a man who appeared “normal” to his neighbors could commit such a violent act.
While Meta has removed some of El Koudri’s social media posts, the company indicated the deletions were due to inappropriate or sexual content rather than jihadist rhetoric, further supporting the current investigative theory that the attack was driven by mental health crises rather than political or religious extremism.
The human toll and medical updates
The medical situation remains precarious for several victims. At the Maggiore Hospital in Bologna, a 55-year-old couple remains in intensive care. While the husband is stable, the wife remains in critical condition, though doctors report slight improvements since her admission.
At Baggiovara Hospital in Modena, two foreign women—one German (69) and one Polish (53)—are in critical condition following multiple surgeries. Hospital directors have stated that We see too early to provide a definitive prognosis due to the severity of the trauma.
| Patient Status | Location | Condition/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Woman (50s) | Baggiovara Hospital | Critical; bilateral leg amputation |
| Couple (55) | Maggiore Hospital | Both in ICU; woman in critical condition |
| Women (69 & 53) | Baggiovara Hospital | Critical; undergoing surgical recovery |
| Three Patients | Various | Discharged (trauma/panic attack) |
Political friction over integration and citizenship
The attack has reignited a sharp political debate regarding the “second generation” of immigrants in Italy. Vice Premier and Lega leader Matteo Salvini argued that the event highlights a failure in integration, stating that those who refuse the laws and culture of the country where they grow up constitute a problem. Salvini further advocated for the revocation of citizenship for foreigners who commit grave crimes, calling such a measure “legitimate defense.”
This stance was countered by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who reminded the public and political colleagues that El Koudri is an Italian citizen, not a foreign resident on a permit. Tajani has since written to the Minister of the Interior to propose the Medal of Civil Valor for Luca Signorelli and the other citizens who risked their lives to stop the attacker.
Meanwhile, Action leader Carlo Calenda criticized those attempting to exploit the tragedy for electoral gain, referring to them as “jackals” and urging a wait for the official findings of the investigation before drawing political conclusions.
As the city of Modena prepares for a collective gathering in Piazza Grande to stand against hatred, the legal process against Salim El Koudri continues. The next phase of the investigation will focus on the full psychiatric evaluation of the suspect to determine his legal accountability. Official updates are expected as the Modena Prosecutor’s Office completes its initial evidence gathering.
Disclaimer: This article reports on a violent event and mentions mental health crises. If you or a loved one are struggling, please contact local mental health services or a crisis hotline.
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