145 Festival-Goers Injured by Syringe Pricks at France’s Street Music Festival: What Happened?

French police recently detained 12 individuals after a concerning series of incidents during the Fête de la Musique, a popular street music festival. Over the weekend, 145 festival-goers reported that they were pricked with syringes while enjoying the festivities.

The attacks occurred in multiple cities, with Paris seeing at least 13 incidents. Initial investigations suggest these cases may involve “needle spiking,” where victims are injected with substances that can incapacitate them. However, authorities are still unclear about the specific drugs used, such as Rohypnol or GHB, which are known to leave people vulnerable to assault.

A representative from the French interior ministry emphasized the seriousness of these incidents, stating that toxicology tests are underway and an investigation is ongoing. Millions attended the festival, with officials noting an unprecedented turnout in Paris.

Laurent Nuñez, the police chief, mentioned that the crowd was three to four times larger than usual. This surge has sparked concern over safety, particularly for women, as prominent voices on social media warned of calls to target them with syringes.

Investigations were launched when three victims—including a 15-year-old girl—claimed to have been injected while enjoying the celebrations. They reported feeling unwell afterward. Across France, police also made 371 arrests that night for various offenses, with nearly 90 in Paris alone.

While this incident is alarming, it highlights ongoing discussions about safety at public events. The rising trend of needle spiking in festival environments raises concerns. According to a recent survey, 1 in 10 young women feels unsafe at music festivals due to threats of violence.

Public reactions are mixed, with many calling for better security. Social media has been buzzing with reactions, both condemning the attacks and discussing safety measures. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are urged to enhance safety protocols to protect festival-goers.

For more insights on drug safety and festival safety measures, you can visit CDC’s website or WHO’s page.

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