At least 1,000 football fans were injured on Saturday in a stampede in Turin, northern Italy, after mistaking firecrackers for an explosion or gunshots, said police.
The incident took place in San Carlo Piazza, where fans had gathered to watch a live outdoor screening of the Champions League final between Juventus and Real Madrid.
Most of the injured were treated for cuts and bruises but seven had to be taken to emergency units at local hospitals.
A Juventus fan receives first aid in San Carlo Piazza, Turin, Italy on June 3, 2017. /VCG Photo
A seven-year-old boy is reported to be in critical condition in hospital with head and chest injuries.
Juventus fans run away from San Carlo Piazza following panic created by the explosion of firecrackers as they were watching the match on a giant screen on June 3, 2017. /VCG Photo
The chaotic scenes occurred just 10 minutes before the end of the match, when fireworks were set off.
After some reported hearing a loud sound, explosion or a gunshot, hundreds ran from the square center, according to Associated Press reporter Brian Hendrie, who was in the square.
As the scare spread through the crowd, a rush towards the exit points quickly accelerated and the square was evacuated so quickly it was left strewn with hundreds of sneakers ripped off people's feet as they ran, as well as bags.
Bags and shoes were left scattered on the ground after people ran screaming out of the square. /VCG Photo
Some injuries occurred after a railing around the entrance to an underground parking lot beneath the square gave way under the weight of the crush.
The incident compounded a miserable night for Juventus supporters, whose team were beaten 4-1 by Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
Juventus supporters evacuate San Carlo Piazza after a stampede caused panic in Turin, June 3, 2017. /VCG Photo
Juventus supporters look for their personal belongings after a stampede at San Carlo Piazza, June 3, 2017, in Turin. /VCG Photo
"The root cause of this was panic, to understand what triggered it we will have to wait a while," said top local official Renato Saccone, the prefect of Turin.
San Carlo Piazza after the chaos on June 3, 2017. /VCG Photo
Local media cited older Juventus fans present as saying the panic had evoked painful memories of the 1985 Heysel disaster, in which 39 mostly Italian fans died when they were crushed by a collapsing wall before the start of that year's European Cup final, against Liverpool.
(With input from AFP)
