A night of music and celebration took a frightening turn when chaos erupted at Atlanta’s Vine City MARTA station following Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour stop at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday. Nine people were injured in what authorities described as a “stampede.”
Insect Scare Triggers Escalator Chaos
According to MARTA officials, the incident began when a woman screamed and ran reportedly after spotting an insect. Her sudden reaction sparked panic among the crowd of concertgoers exiting the stadium. The rush occurred on a crowded escalator, which allegedly sped up before coming to a sudden halt, throwing people off balance and into each other.
Attendee Amber Anderson described the terrifying moment: “I see that people are starting to run at the entrance, which of course when you see somebody running, you probably want to run too,” she told local media. Anderson said she was pinned against a wall and injured her leg, recalling, “I feared suffocation.”
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Multiple Injuries Reported
Eight individuals were transported to local hospitals seven with minor injuries and one with a broken ankle. One person declined medical attention. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with people falling and scrambling to get up amid the confusion.
Despite the panic, Anderson praised fellow concertgoers for their kindness. “People helped each other up, searched for missing phones and jewelry. It was scary, but people really came together.”
Also Read: Beyonce’s Shocking Theft: Unreleased Music and Concert Material Stolen During Cowboy Carter Tour
Investigation Underway
MARTA has since shut down and barricaded the affected escalator. The manufacturer, Schindler, will investigate alongside MARTA’s safety team. In a statement, Schindler said, “We take the safety of the riding public seriously… At this time, we have no verified information as to the cause and it would be inappropriate to speculate.”
