An Italian citizen said to be a second-generation Moroccan drove into around ten pedestrians at high speed on Saturday afternoon in the centre of the northern Italian city of Modena.

The man is said to be 31 years old and born in Seriate in Italy, reports Corriere della Sera.

Eight people are injured, four of them seriously, the Italian newspaper writes.

According to witnesses, a woman is said to have lost both legs.

It happened on Via Emilia in the very centre of the city, with the car coming from Largo Garibaldi. Several police officers and emergency crews are at the scene.

The man attempted to stab a person during an escape attempt. Shortly afterwards, he was arrested.

The 31-year-old is said to have had no criminal record, Corriere della Sera states.

A man who gave chase to the Moroccan told the newspaper:

“I ran after him, and meanwhile another 4–5 people came after me. He disappeared behind a row of cars and then reappeared with a knife in his hand. He babbled something, but it was not Italian.”