Rome Escalator Accident Injures 20 Russian Soccer Fans

ROME—At least 20 people were injured when an escalator in the Rome metropolitan system collapsed on the night of Tuesday, Oct. 23.

A video shown on Sky TG24 shows the escalator accelerating suddenly, and the people riding down on it collapsing one onto another. The dramatic footage shows people on the parallel escalator trying to pull others to safety.

The cause was not immediately known. The metropolitan station at Piazza Repubblica near the main Termini train station was closed by investigators.

“The scene that we found was people piled up at the bottom of the escalator,” said Rome provincial fire chief Giampietro Boscaino. “People one on the top of the other looking for help. They had various injuries caused by the escalator that was twisted, therefore serious injuries.”

A part of the damaged escalator where Russian soccer fans were injured, Rome, Italy, Oct. 23, 2018. Vigili del Fuoco /via Reuters

The prefect’s office put the number of injured at 20, mostly Russians in town for a Champion’s League soccer game between CSKA Moscow and Roma. Firefighters said seven were in serious condition.

The news agency ANSA quoted Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi as saying that witnesses reported people were jumping and dancing on the escalator before the accident.

According to local reports, many of the people wounded in the accident were fans of the soccer club CSKA Moscow, who were in Rome for a Champions League match with Roma. Rome, Italy, Oct. 23, 2018. AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino

ANSA also quoted city transport agency officials as saying maintenance is carried out on metro system escalators every month.

Separately, one CSKA fan was slashed with a knife during clashes between opposing fans outside the Stadio Olimpico, the ANSA news agency reported.

About 1,500 CSKA fans were attending the match.