A stampede in South Carolina early Sunday morning injured at least 19 people.
According to NBC News, Horry County Fire Rescue crews responded to a “stage area” near South Ocean Boulevard in Atlantic Beach at roughly 1:05 a.m.
“The town of Atlantic Beach confirmed that the incident happened at the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival — held annually in the area over Memorial Day weekend,” NBC News stated.
At least 19 injured in suspected stampede at South Carolina’s Atlantic Beach: officials https://t.co/adEmHq4PLk pic.twitter.com/or6KoVsxvS
— New York Post (@nypost) May 24, 2026
NBC News shared further:
Three people were transported to a hospital for treatment; others are believed to have sought care on their own. All injuries are considered non-life-threatening, according to Horry County Fire Rescue.
In a statement, the town of Atlantic Beach said the event was triggered by a person who began running, “causing a brief chain reaction within the crowd that lasted only seconds.”
“SLED [South Carolina Law Enforcement Division] personnel quickly accessed the stage and took control of the situation, addressing the crowd multiple times and clearly communicating that no incident had occurred and that individuals had simply started running,” interim Town Manager Titus Leaks said in the statement. “Their swift response helped calm attendees and restore order.”
Leaks said, “At no time were there any confirmed fights, weapons, or direct threats to public safety,” emphasizing that it was “a brief crowd reaction” that “was quickly identified and managed by law enforcement who were already in position.”
The annual motorcycle rally brings hundreds of thousands of people to the area each year.
“Black Bike Week is recently reported to draw crowds in excess of 400,000 people to the area though it is hard to distinguish them from the crowd of spring breakers who have been in Myrtle Beach during the same time,” the town’s website read.
“This explosion of visitors happens every year for an extended weekend of motorcycle racing, concerts, parties, and street festivals. Alone, it would be considered the third largest motorcycle rally in the entire country after Sturgis and Daytona. But when combined with Myrtle Beach’s Harley Week it has arguably more people than any other city,” it continued.
More from the New York Post:
Officials haven’t ruled out the possibility of additional victims who weren’t checked by first responders.
A reason behind the suspected stampede was not revealed.
Atlantic Beach is currently hosting the annual Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival with live music, meet-and-greets, parties and entertainment running between Friday and Monday.
It was not revealed if the stampede victims were associated with the bike fest.