An escalator at a metro station in Rome ran out of control this evening sending dozens of people hurtling into each other at terrifying speed.

Axar.az reports citing La Repubblica.

The incident at the Repubblica underground station was filmed and posted on social media today ahead of this evening's Champions League clash in the Italian capital.

The station was overrun with CSKA Moscow fans as they headed to the Stadio Olimpico for the Russian team's match against Roma.

Local media reports claim the escalator malfunctioned after Russian fans were seen 'singing and jumping on it' causing it to give way.

One witness said they 'had just witnessed a scene from the apocalypse' after seeing football fans being sent crashing into one another.

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