At least eight people were injured, four critically, after a vehicle intentionally accelerated down a packed pedestrian sidewalk in Modena, Italy, on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The high-speed rampage shocked locals as the vehicle zigzagged through crowds on Via Emilia, a main shopping street, before crashing into a storefront.
Security footage shows the Citroen C3 traveling at an estimated 100 kph (62 mph) down the pedestrian-heavy sidewalk. Out of the eight victims, four remain in critical condition, including one woman who suffered devastating crush injuries that required the amputation of both legs. The victims include local residents as well as German and Polish nationals. Following the crash, the driver attempted to flee on foot while brandishing a knife and stabbing a passerby who tried to block his escape, before four brave bystanders tackled and pinned him until law enforcement arrived.
The driver has been identified as a 31-year-old Salim El Koudri, an Italian citizen of Moroccan origin who was born and raised in the region. He is an unemployed business administration graduate with no prior criminal record, though authorities revealed he was previously referred to a mental health center in 2022 for “schizoid disorders”.
Modena Mayor Massimo Mezzetti condemned the event as a “crazy act” and noted that the driver appeared to target people deliberately. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the incident “extremely serious,” offering praise to the civilians who intervened and promising the perpetrator will be held fully accountable. Authorities are currently investigating whether the act is tied to terrorism or a severe psychological episode.