24-year-old woman assaulted near Florence main station, taken to hospital

A 24-year-old woman was sexually assaulted and severely beaten late on Friday night January 30, 2026, in Via Valfonda, just outside Santa Maria Novella station, Florence’s main railway station. The attack occurred around midnight after she got off a bus and was walking towards a nearby tram stop to meet a friend.

According to investigators, the woman was approached by an unknown man who attempted to touch her sexually. When she resisted, the attacker punched her in the face, knocking her to the ground, and continued to hit and kick her. She suffered a broken nose, head trauma and multiple bruises and abrasions.

Her screams drew the attention of passers-by. A couple intervened verbally, prompting the attacker to flee, while emergency services were contacted. The woman was taken to Santa Maria Nuova Hospital, where doctors issued a 30-day prognosis for concussion and other injuries.

A central and heavily used area

Via Valfonda runs alongside Santa Maria Novella station, one of the most frequented areas in Florence at all hours of the day and night. The zone connects long-distance trains, regional services, city buses and the tramway, and is used daily by commuters, tourists and students.

Police and Carabinieri have opened an investigation and are analysing surveillance cameras in the area to identify the attacker. No arrest had been announced as of Saturday.

Political reactions and security debate

The assault has quickly entered the local political debate. Centre-right opposition figures have criticised what they describe as inadequate security measures around the station and in surrounding streets, calling for a stronger and more visible presence of municipal police patrols in neighbourhoods.

The city administration has rejected accusations of inaction, pointing to coordinated police patrols around the station area and to staffing shortages affecting national police forces. The mayor Sara Funaro has expressed solidarity with the victim and said the municipality is available to provide support, while stressing the need for the attacker to be identified and brought to justice.

(Cover photo generated by Artificial Intelligence)

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