VICENZA - A staircase has collapsed in a mosque shortly after 7 a.m. on Friday morning, leaving five injured, officials said. 

 At least 1000 worshippers were in the building for Ramadan prayer. 

 According to initial findings, the internal staircase did not support the weight of all the people, causing it to bend and then collapse.

 One of the worshippers was trapped between metal sheets. The man was later freed by the fire brigade, which quickly rushed to the scene together with ambulances. 

cw