An escalator at a metro station in Rome lost control yesterday, sending dozens of people crashing into each other at terrifying speed. The incident which occured at the Repubblica underground station was ahead of the Champions League clash in the Italian capital.

The station was filled with CSKA Moscow fans who were headed to the Stadio Olimpico for their team’s match against Roma. The escalator however malfunctioned when the fans – said to be singing and jumping – were making use of it.

At least 20 people were injured, with one fan’s foot partially severed and seven others seriously hurt.

Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi visited the metro station and said the local transport authority had opened an investigation.

‘From what witnesses have said, it seems that some fans were jumping and dancing on the stairs,’ Raggi told reporters.