145 people report syringe attacks at French Music Festival
French authorities have arrested 12 individuals following reports that 145 people were pricked with syringes during Fête de la Musique celebrations across the country.
The annual street music festival drew millions to public spaces nationwide on Saturday evening, with Paris experiencing what officials described as “unprecedented crowds.” Ahead of the event, social media posts had circulated calling for women to be targeted during the festivities.
According to the Interior Ministry, syringe incidents were reported in multiple locations, including 13 cases in Paris. While the nature of the substances involved remains unclear, some victims were hospitalized for toxicology tests. Officials have not confirmed whether the attacks involved drugs commonly associated with needle spiking, such as GHB or Rohypnol.
Paris prosecutors said three separate investigations are underway after a 15-year-old girl, an 18-year-old man, and one other person reported being pricked and subsequently feeling unwell.
A police source noted that four of the 12 arrested individuals were detained in Angoulême, where they are suspected of involvement in around 50 of the cases.
In addition to the syringe-related arrests, over 370 people were detained nationwide during the event, including nearly 90 in Paris, on a range of charges. Authorities also reported that 14 participants were seriously injured during the night’s festivities. One 17-year-old was hospitalized after being found with stab wounds.
Thirteen police officers were also injured during the event, although Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez said that “no major incident has been reported.”