[WATCH] Rome metro escalator collapse injures Russian football fans

An escalator at Rome's Repubblica station collapsed this evening injuring tens of Russian football fans on their way to the Olimpico Stadium.

Italian media have reported that more than 20 people were injured when the escalator leading down to the metro station collapsed. One of the injured had his leg amputated.

Video footage posted on twitter shows the escalator picking up speed, forcing a pile up at the bottom of the stairway.

+++ Ultim'ora - #Roma: cede scala #metro #Repubblica, 10 feriti gravi tra cui tifosi #Cska Mosca +++ pic.twitter.com/rw9LTPGh0I

— Alessia N⚽️velli (@Ale_Novelli87) October 23, 2018

The Russian fans were in Rome to follow their team CSKA Moscow in its Champions League match against AS Roma, scheduled to be played this evening. The incident happened at around 7.45pm.

A photo showing part of the escalator that was crushed, posted by the Italian civil protection

The Italian authorities have initiated an investigation to establish the cause of the collapse. Contrary to initial reports, the Russian fans were not jumping and celebrating on the escalator when the collapse happened.