145 people report being attacked with syringes at French festival
145 people have reported being stabbed with syringes at the Fête de la Musique celebrations across France.
The annual street music festival takes place across the country and was attended by millions of people in France on June 21st. The police have since detained 12 suspects following the reports of syringe attacks at events.
Local authorities said the festivities attracted “unprecedented crowds” in Paris. According to France 24, there had been several posts on Snapchat and across other social media platforms calling for women to be targeted at Fête de la Musique.
The 145 alleged incidents took place across the entire country rather than just occurring in one specific area. However, 13 cases were reported in Paris alone.
Authorities are yet to reveal what substance was in the syringes, and whether it was drugs such as Rohypnol or GHB, which attackers use to make sexual assault victims become vulnerable and unconscious.
In a statement, the ministry said of the investigation: “Some victims were taken to hospital for toxicological tests.” Updates are expected in due course.
The investigation was launched after three people, including a 15-year-old girl, reported they had been stabbed in Paris.
In Metz, two men were arrested on suspicion of syringe attacks, including one man who was already known to authorities. Meanwhile, four people have been detained in Angoulême and are accused of targeting around 50 victims.
Additionally, a number of women claim to have been stabbed by syringes in Évreux and Rouen in the Normandy region, as well as in Tours.
In addition to those detained related to the syringe attacks, the police arrested more than 370 others during festivities for other reasons across France, and 13 officers were injured.
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