Insect Panic at Beyoncé Concert Sparks Escalator Stampede at Atlanta Transit Station
ATLANTA — A sudden burst of panic following Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour stop at Mercedes-Benz Stadium led to a stampede at a nearby metro station — and it may have all started with a bug.
Shortly after midnight on Tuesday, fans flooded the Vine City MARTA Station as they exited the concert. That’s when an unexpected scream triggered chaos on a crowded escalator, leaving nine people injured, including one person with a broken ankle and several with cuts and scrapes, according to the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA).
What Sparked the Panic?
While initial reports hinted at mechanical failure, MARTA officials later revealed a more unusual explanation: an insect may have startled a child in the crowd, setting off the commotion.
“The person who screamed was reacting to an insect,” confirmed Stephany Fisher, MARTA’s Senior Director of Communications, referencing video evidence and TikTok posts suggesting a 10-year-old saw a cockroach or palmetto bug and screamed in fear.
The scream reportedly caused nearby passengers to panic and flee, overwhelming the escalator. The resulting crowd surge caused the escalator to briefly accelerate before abruptly stopping, worsening the situation.
Escalator Was Recently Inspected
Concerns about escalator safety were quickly addressed. Acting MARTA CEO Rhonda Allen stated that the escalator had passed an inspection just days earlier and functioned as intended. She explained that the panic caused a “weight surge,” which affected the escalator’s motion.
“There was someone who started to scream outside of the station,” Allen said. “She was startled by a bug — outside the large crowd.”
Officials are now reviewing ways to better manage large post-event crowds, especially at transit hubs adjacent to stadiums and concert venues.
Concert Otherwise a Huge Success
Despite the transit scare, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour stop in Atlanta was hailed as a success, drawing thousands of fans and high-energy performances. No incidents occurred during the show itself.
The Queen Bey continues her tour with upcoming stops across the U.S., and local authorities in other cities are already evaluating their own crowd flow strategies to avoid similar mishaps.
Have You Ever Experienced Crowd Panic at a Concert?
Whether you’re part of the BeyHive or just a live-music lover — tell us your stories of chaotic or surprising moments in a crowd. Join the conversation here at ChicagoMusicGuide.com.