By Andrew Warshaw in Moscow
June 19 – At least eight people, including some Mexican World Cup fans, were injured after a taxi mounted a crowded pavement in one of the most popular areas of the Russian capital on Saturday.
CCTV footage posted on social media showed the car veered out of a queue of stationary traffic and ploughed into pedestrians before coming to a halt.
The incident happened close to Red Square in an area packed with tourists. The driver was identified as Kyrgyzstan national Anarbek Chyngyz who appeared to try to flee the scene before being apprehended.
There was no immediate suggestion that the incident was in any way related to terrorism. Security throughout the country has been intense to make sure nothing untoward happens during Russia’s home World Cup but having said that, bag searches at stadia, while thorough, have been for the most part been conducted respectively and courteously.
None of those hurt are understood to be in a critical condition, although one woman has sustained serious injuries. A Russian and Ukrainian were also among those who were taken to hospital.
The street where the incident happened – about 200m from Moscow’s famous GUM shopping arcade – was blocked off for a short period but was quickly re-opened. Moscow police said the driver had been at the wheel for more than 20 hours and had pressed the accelerator by mistake.
In a video, visibly upset, he said he fled because he thought the crowd of people “were going to kill” him.
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