Moscow police are investigating a taxi crash that injured eight people, including two Mexican World Cup fans, when the driver ploughed into pedestrians on a pavement near Red Square.

City police released a video on Sunday of an interrogation session with the Kyrgyz driver, in which he says he briefly fell asleep at the wheel and accidentally hit the accelerator.

The man said he had not slept for 20 hours, and ran away after the accident because he was afraid that angry bystanders would kill him. He was later detained.

It was unclear whether the driver spoke under duress.

Russia Taxi Crash
Eight people were injured (Moscow Traffic Control Centre Press Service via AP)

Moscow police would not comment on whether the crash would affect security measures for the World Cup, which is being held in 11 Russian cities over the next month.

The use of vehicles as weapons has been among security concerns.

The Mexican embassy told The Associated Press the two injured female fans were not hospitalised. Details on other victims were not immediately released.