Modena Shock: Leader’s Trip After Car‑Ramming Tragedy

The city of Modena, home to more than 180, 000 people, faced a sudden crisis on Saturday when a driver ran a red light and crashed into pedestrians. The incident left eight people hurt, four of them badly wounded. One victim lost a leg and another is in critical condition. A 30‑year‑old man of Italian birth with North African roots was behind the wheel. After the crash he fled but later stabbed a passerby who tried to stop him. Police caught him and placed him in custody. Investigators say the attacker was treated for a mental health disorder last year. He had been diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder and disappeared from the system after his treatment ended.In the wake of the violence, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni decided to travel to Modena instead of attending a scheduled meeting with Cyprus’s president in Nicosia. The move was announced by government officials who also said President Sergio Mattarella will visit the city. Modena’s prosecutors are looking into charges of murder and personal injury. They describe the attack as random, deliberate and indiscriminate. The mayor, Massimo Mezzetti, told a news station that the man’s actions were unpredictable and not linked to any known motive. The tragedy has sparked a debate about mental health care, public safety and the responsibilities of leaders during emergencies. Citizens in Modena are demanding clearer plans to prevent similar incidents.