Football news - Several CSKA fans seriously injured in Rome after escalator careers out of control

Multiple people was seriously hurt in the accident at the city-centre Repubblica station, with reports suggesting that 17 were taken to hospital. None of the injuries were reported to be life-threatening.

State television RAI broadcast a video of the incident that showed the escalator suddenly speed up, leaving people in a tangled crush at the bottom, unable to jump free.

The station was full of Russian fans headed towards Rome's Olympic Stadium where CSKA Moscow were to play AS Roma in the Champions League.

Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi visited the metro station and said the local transport authority had opened an investigation, into the investigation, before appearing to deflect blame towards the supporters themselves: "From what witnesses have said, it seems that some fans were jumping and dancing on the stairs."

Italian media said some soccer supporters were trapped between the metal plates of the steps, while those on the opposite escalator were seen trying to drag people to safety.

A witness said it was as if they "had just witnessed a scene from the apocalypse."

An attending member of the emergency services told reporters: "Only half of the escalator is intact. The last steps split and they crumpled on top of one another."

*** WARNING: Some viewers may find the below footage distressing ***