On a bustling Saturday afternoon, the heart of Modena—a city famed for its cobblestone streets and vibrant culture in northern Italy—was suddenly transformed by a shocking act of violence. At approximately 4:30 p.m. on May 16, 2026, a silver car barreled down Via Emilia, the city’s main shopping street, careening into a crowd of pedestrians before crashing into a shop window. What followed was a desperate, chaotic scene that left at least eight people injured, four of them in serious condition, and an entire nation grappling with the aftermath of what officials are calling an unprecedented attack.
The driver, identified by authorities as 31-year-old Salim El Koudri, an Italian national of Moroccan origin, emerged from the wreckage wielding a knife. According to eyewitness accounts reported by BBC and The New York Times, El Koudri attempted to stab bystanders as he tried to flee the scene. One civilian, Luca Signorelli, attempted to intervene and was slashed on the head and chest in the ensuing struggle. Despite his injuries, Signorelli—along with several other quick-thinking passers-by—managed to overpower the attacker and restrain him until police arrived.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who canceled a planned trip to Cyprus in response to the incident, visited the injured in hospital alongside President Sergio Mattarella the following day. Expressing her gratitude to Signorelli, Meloni wrote on X, "What makes an ordinary person heroic is the moment when the heart chooses to do good, even when that involves a risk." She also described the event as "extremely serious," echoing the sentiments of Modena’s Mayor Massimo Mezzetti, who called it a "crazy act" and praised the courage and civic sense of those who intervened.
The attack’s toll was heavy. Among the eight injured—five women and three men—four remain in serious condition. One woman, whose legs were crushed by the car, required both limbs to be amputated. Two victims were airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in Bologna, underscoring the severity of their injuries. The wounded include a German woman and a Polish woman, highlighting the international character of the city’s weekend crowds.
Authorities quickly moved to piece together the background and motivations of the attacker. El Koudri, an economics graduate originally from Bergamo and residing in the Modena province, had no criminal record and was currently unemployed. According to BBC and The New York Times, he had been treated for schizoid disorders in 2022 at a local mental health center but disappeared from care after the initial period of observation. Prefect Fabrizia Triolo of Modena confirmed that at the time of his arrest, El Koudri was not under the influence of drugs or psychotropic substances. His home was searched as part of the ongoing investigation.
The case is being handled by a coalition of investigative bodies, including the Bologna District Anti-Mafia and Anti-Terrorism Directorate, the Modena Public Prosecutor’s Office, and Italy’s Committee for Strategic Anti-Terrorism Analysis (CASA). The possibility of radicalization has not been ruled out. Investigators are probing whether El Koudri’s actions were the result of a self-motivated "lone wolf" attack or if he had connections to extremist networks. Notably, his social media accounts had been removed by Meta prior to the incident, potentially due to problematic content.
The timing of the attack has also drawn attention. May 16 marked the 78th anniversary of the Nakba, a date of significance in the Palestinian calendar, and demonstrations against Israel, the United States, and their allies were underway in several Italian cities, led by Islamist, Palestinian, and far-left groups. While authorities have not formally linked the attack to these events, the context has heightened concerns about the influence of international tensions and the threat of "lone wolf" attacks inspired by extremist ideologies—a modus operandi previously seen in Europe and the United States, particularly among ISIS sympathizers.
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, leader of the anti-immigrant League party, was quick to highlight El Koudri’s background on social media, referring to him as a "second-generation criminal" and stating, "There can be no justification for such an infamous act." The label of "second-generation"—used to describe Italians born to immigrant parents—has fueled debate about integration, mental health, and security. However, local officials were careful to stress that immigrants and their families have generally integrated well in Modena. Roberto Solomita, the mayor’s chief of staff, emphasized that this was the first incident of its kind in the city, which has long prided itself on its social cohesion and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Eyewitnesses described the harrowing moments as the car veered onto the pavement at high speed, estimated at 100 km/h (62 mph). "We saw people flying," one witness told Italian media, recalling the sudden acceleration and the chaos that followed. Simona Sighinolfi, a local business owner, said, "I am still shaking, I can still hear the screams and the noise." The attack occurred in broad daylight, with the city center bustling with shoppers and tourists, amplifying the sense of shock and vulnerability.
Mayor Mezzetti, speaking to the press, underscored the gravity of the situation: "Whatever the nature, it is a very serious act. If it were an attack, it would be even more serious." He urged patience as the investigation continues, cautioning against premature speculation. As of now, authorities have found no evidence that El Koudri was under the influence of substances or acting under direct orders from any organization, but the investigation into his past, personal relationships, and possible radicalization is ongoing.
This attack marks the first car-ramming terror incident on Italian soil, according to Il Giornale and corroborated by international outlets. The method—using a vehicle as a weapon followed by a knife attack—mirrors tactics employed in previous attacks in Europe, raising alarms among security analysts and the public alike.
For now, Modena is left to pick up the pieces. The city’s residents, still reeling from the trauma, have been lauded for their bravery and solidarity in the face of danger. As Prime Minister Meloni put it, "I trust that the perpetrator will be held fully accountable for his actions," a sentiment echoed by many as the community looks for answers and a path forward.
In the wake of tragedy, Modena’s spirit of unity and resilience stands as a testament to the power of ordinary people rising to extraordinary challenges, even as the city—and the country—awaits the full truth behind this devastating day.