Russian traffic officials say a taxi has ran into a crowd of people in central Moscow injuring seven individuals as the city hosts thousands of tourists during the World Cup 2018 matches.

Interfax news agency cited a source as saying on Saturday that the driver was drunk at the time of the incident, which occurred near Red Square.

Moscow traffic authority cited the taxi driver as saying that he did not act on purpose.

The injured included two Mexicans, two Russians and a Ukrainian, an emergency services source told TASS news agency.

A medical source said none of the people hospitalized was critically injured.

A Moscow traffic authority wrote on social media that the taxi driver, who has been detained, had a Kyrgyz driving license.

Russia hosts the 2018 FIFA World Cup from June 14 to July 15. A total of 64 matches will be played in 12 venues in 11 Russian cities.