Italy's President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made a hospital visit to victims of Friday's vehicular attack in Modena, a gesture underscoring the severity of an incident that left seven people seriously injured when a man deliberately drove his car into pedestrians in the city center.
The Presidential Visit
The visit to Baggiovara Civil Hospital and other medical facilities demonstrated national solidarity with the injured and recognition of healthcare workers' efforts. President Mattarella addressed the medical team treating the wounded, saying: "Thank you for what you do in this dramatic circumstance, but also routinely. We are aware of what you do every day. In this case, you are being followed with particular attention and gratitude by all our fellow citizens."
The President and Prime Minister also met with two of the four citizens who subdued the attacker, a gesture recognizing civilian courage during the crisis. The officials departed without making public statements to the press, though they were greeted by supporters who applauded and called out, "Thank you, President" and "Bravo, Mattarella."
The Attack
On May 16, a 31-year-old man drove his vehicle into a crowded area of central Modena in what investigators describe as a deliberate act with clear intent to cause mass harm. Seven pedestrians were struck, with the vehicle inflicting catastrophic injuries before the attacker abandoned the car and attempted to escape on foot, brandishing a knife. Four civilians intervened, physically restraining him until police arrived.
Prosecutors in Modena have charged the attacker with attempted massacre and aggravated assault, charges that carry sentences of up to life imprisonment under Italian law. The Modena Prosecutor's Office has explicitly ruled out political or religious motives.
Victims in Critical Condition
The human toll remains severe. At Baggiovara Civil Hospital, medical teams continue managing the most critical cases:
A 69-year-old German woman suffered traumatic bilateral lower-limb amputations at the point of impact. She remains sedated in intensive care with a reserved prognosis.
A 53-year-old Polish woman has undergone multiple surgical interventions after sustaining extensive pelvic and lower-body trauma. She too remains in intensive care, with doctors monitoring for complications.
An Italian man, 59, spent the night under observation in the emergency medicine ward with facial trauma and is expected to require recovery time. A 60-year-old chef, also hospitalized at Baggiovara, has regained consciousness and is providing investigators with witness testimony.
At Bologna's Maggiore Hospital, a married couple—both 55 and residents of the Modena area—remain in the resuscitation unit under sedation with reserved prognoses. The wife is in more critical condition but has shown slight stabilization since admission. Her husband's condition is serious but has remained steady.
Three additional victims were treated at Modena's Policlinico: a 22-year-old woman with head trauma, a 30-year-old man treated for panic attack, and a 47-year-old man with a stab wound. All three have been discharged or are expected to leave shortly.
Community Response
The response from Modena's civic and religious leadership has been strong. Monsignor Erio Castellucci, Archbishop-Abate of Modena-Nonantola, offered prayers for victims and their families. Confesercenti Modena, the local merchants' association, described the attack as striking "the heart of the city."
The municipality has activated emergency psychological support services for witnesses and families of victims, including trauma counseling typically covered under the Italian National Health Service (SSN).
Police have increased patrols in Modena's historic center, and the mayor's office has coordinated with mental health authorities to review protocols. The Emilia-Romagna Health Authority (AUSL) has committed to providing daily bulletins on hospitalized victims' conditions.
