British police seeking 2 men who may have sparked panic in central London

— -- British police released on Friday night surveillance photos of two men who may be responsible for sparking panic and a stampede earlier in the day on Oxford Street in central London. There were also reports of gunfire.

"Officers believe an altercation erupted between two men on the platform," British Transport Police said in a statement. "They would now like to speak to these two people in the CCTV images, who they believe may have information about the incident and the circumstances around the incident."

People were seen fleeing the Oxford Circus Tube station, taking shelter in nearby buildings and holding each other as police descended on the area to respond to the reports.

Oxford Street erupted into chaos as panicked people ran for cover, according to Ian Pannell, ABC News’ senior foreign correspondent, who was on the scene.

People screamed and shouted, tripping and falling over each other in sheer terror. One woman was injured in the rush, police said, but it was minor.

The London Ambulance Service said it treated several patients who had sustained injuries while leaving the Oxford Circus area. Eight people were taken to two hospitals for minor injuries, according to the service.

Oxford Street is one the busiest shopping centers in London, comparable to New York City’s Times Square. The stores in the area immediately shuttered their doors and windows to protect people from the commotion.

Police are looking into what led people to flee the station.