At least 19 injured in South Carolina stampede incident

U.S. newsAt least 19 injured in South Carolina stampede incidentFirst responders were dispatched to the area near South Ocean Boulevard at around 1:05 a.m. Sunday morning.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00ShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 24, 2026, 12:04 PM EDTBy Mirna Alsharif and Bella LoBueAt least 19 people were injured in a stampede Sunday morning in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Horry County Fire Rescue crews responded to a “stage area” near South Ocean Boulevard at around 1:05 a.m; where they located the patients with assistance from local law enforcement. Officials did not identify the event by name, but the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival — held annually in the area over Memorial Day weekend — was underway at the time, according to the Town of Atlantic Beach.Horry County Fire Rescue crews were dispatched to the stage area near South Ocean Boulevard in Atlantic Beach, S.C., for a reported stampede incident on Sunday.Horry County Fire RescueThree 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.No information has been released regarding what triggered the stampede. The Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival draws crowds of up to 40,000 people to Atlantic Beach each Memorial Day weekend, according to the Town of Atlantic Beach. ShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMirna AlsharifMirna Alsharif is a breaking news reporter for NBC News.Bella LoBueBella LoBue is a Assignment Editor at NBC News Digital.