Police are investigating the case and said it is possible that the use of pepper spray by an audience member could be to blame, sources said.

Footage showed panicked concertgoers surging away from the stage, with some videos showing the crowds climbing over barriers and there were reports of parents getting separated from their children in the ensuing crush.

In related news, it was also reported on local website wantedinrome.com that just after Scott's concert kicked off at about 9.45pm, numerous people inundated Twitter querying if there’d been an earthquake.

“Did anyone feel the earthquake in Rome? Or did I dream it?” TV host Caterina Balivo wrote on Twitter.

Other residents in central and south Rome noted that “the whole house is shaking”, while another wrote: “I live in San Giovanni, top floor. The bed and chandelier shook, clearly”.

The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) said nothing had registered, and so given the proximity of the concert to those commenting on a suspected quake, the finger of blame was quickly pointed at Scott who performed in front of a crowd of around 60,000 people.

Rapper Kanye West, holidaying in Italy at the moment, was a surprise guest on stage.

It’s been a busy little period for Circus Maximus, with Imagine Dragons performing at the coveted Rome venue two days prior to the Scott concert, and Guns N’ Roses playing there just a month ago.

ANSA & other agencies