Beyonce Cowboy Carter concert stampede: Fans injured after escalator crush in Atlanta

Fans of superstar singer Beyonce have been left seriously injured after a terrifying stampede on an escalator caused by a young girls fear of bugs.

As thousands streamed out of the Cowboy Carter show at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in the early hours of Tuesday, July 15, a sudden surge of panic caused a mass casualty event.

“Just after midnight 11 people leaving the Beyoncé concert at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta were injured on an escalator at Vine City Station,” Stephany Fisher, sr. director of communications for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), told PEOPLE.

“One person suffered a broken ankle, seven people were transported to the hospital with cuts and scrapes, and one person declined transport. Two people requested medical assistance after reaching their destinations.”

“A person began screaming and running, causing a stampede on the escalator that caused it to temporarily speed up and then stop suddenly,” Ms Fisher added.

MARTA police chief Scott Kreher confirmed that a 10-year-old girl panicked after seeing a cockroach and began screaming and running.

Acting MARTA CEO Rhonda Allen informed the board that “there was someone who started to scream outside of the station. She was startled by a bug outside, outside the large crowd” 11Alive reported.

“MARTA Police on scene said there was a scream, and witnesses said the person who screamed was reacting to an insect. I believe there’s also video on TikTok of a woman claiming it was a 10-year-old relative who screamed when she saw a bug,” Ms Fisher confirmed.

Images of the shocking incident show the crammed escalator bumping forward causing a surge that sent people toppling over.

“It just created a whole entire slide full of people,” student Jacobi Edwards told Fox 5.

“It just started tumbling — people just tumbling on each other. It was crazy, it was chaotic.”

Some concertgoers are claiming on social media that the escalator may have malfunctioned and local news outlets have reported an inspection certificate posted on the escalator shows it is set to expire next month.

The escalator’s manufacturer, Schindler, released a statement saying “we are aware of the incident that occurred following the conclusion of a nearby concert on an escalator at Vine City Station, stemming from a sudden crowd surge/stampede.”

“We extend our sympathies to the passengers who were injured. We take the safety of the riding public seriously and are committed to working closely with MARTA, Vine City Station personnel, and local authorities to fully investigate and determine the cause of the incident.

“At this time, we have no verified information as to the cause and it would be inappropriate to speculate.”