Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour stop in Atlanta took an unexpected turn this week — and it all started with a bug and a 10-year-old girl.
During the packed concert at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a young girl reportedly freaked out after spotting a tiny insect, her screams quickly escalating into a full-blown panic among nearby concertgoers.
What followed was pure chaos: startled fans rushed toward the exits, swarming the escalators at the nearby Vine City MARTA station. The rush became so overwhelming that one of the escalators malfunctioned mid-stampede, adding to the mayhem.
Several attendees were reportedly injured in the commotion and required hospitalization.
What began as an unforgettable night of music quickly turned into a scene of confusion and concern — all sparked by one small insect and a moment of panic that set off a domino effect.
Shocking footage captured the chaos after Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” concert in Atlanta, showing panicked fans sprinting down an escalator that suddenly sped up and then jolted to a stop, sending people tumbling over one another in a frightening pile-up.
According to a spokesperson for MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority), the trouble began when a woman — later confirmed to be a 10-year-old girl — let out a scream after encountering what some described as a cockroach or “palmetto bug.” Her reaction reportedly caused surrounding concertgoers to panic and flee without knowing exactly what had happened.
MARTA Police Chief Scott Kreher told 11Alive that it was indeed the young girl’s scream that kicked off the whole incident Monday night.
Beyoncé fan Amber Anderson recounted the terrifying moment, telling Atlanta News First that she was pinned under a man as around 20 people fell on top of each other amid the chaos.
In the aftermath, multiple fans — with reports suggesting up to 11 people — were injured and transported to nearby hospitals.
And as for the bug that sparked it all? Social media didn’t hold back, with many joking about the girl’s reaction. One commenter quipped:
“Might be time to toughen up, sis! 🐜”
What should have been a joyful night celebrating Beyoncé’s tour instead ended in pandemonium, all thanks to one tiny insect and a moment of panic that rippled through the crowd.
