145 people stabbed with syringes at a music festival in France.

At least a dozen suspects were apprehended on Sunday in connection with a troubling incident during the annual Fête de la Musique, a nationwide street music festival celebrated across France. The festival, which took place on Saturday, attracted millions of participants, including what authorities described as “unprecedented crowds” in the capital city, Paris. Reports indicate that a disturbing total of 145 individuals accused of being stabbed with syringes surfaced during the festivities.

Prior to the event, concerns regarding public safety were brought to light by a feminist influencer known as Abrège Soeu. She highlighted the emergence of social media posts that called for needle attacks targeting women attendees. This warning proved prescient, as 13 individuals in Paris alone reported incidents, among them a 15-year-old girl, who experienced adverse health effects following the alleged attacks.

The French Interior Ministry reported that some of the victims were transported to hospitals for toxicological assessments to determine whether they had been exposed to dangerous substances. However, officials have not disclosed information regarding the specific contents of the needles or whether any of them contained commonly known “date-rape” drugs such as Rohypnol or GHB, which have raised significant concerns about the potential for sexual assault.

This alarming pattern is not isolated to this year’s festival, as similar incidents have been reported throughout Europe in recent years, affecting patrons at clubs, bars, and festivals, including instances during the 2022 edition of the Fête de la Musique.

Among those arrested, four suspects were detained in Angoulême, located in southwestern France, where they are accused of targeting at least 50 individuals. In Metz, two additional suspects were apprehended; one was discovered in possession of a syringe, while the second was recognized by a woman who reported being attacked. Notably, many of the alleged victims in Metz are reported to be under 18 years old.

Authorities in Evreux, Rouen, and Tours also received reports from individuals claiming to have been victims of similar attacks, amplifying concerns about public safety during widespread social gatherings. As investigations continue, the French government faces mounting pressure to ensure the safety of festivalgoers at future events.

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