French police have detained 12 suspects after 145 people reported being pricked with syringes during the country’s annual Fete de la Musique street music festival.
Millions of people gathered across France on Saturday evening for the event, with authorities noting “unprecedented crowds” in Paris. Before the festivities, social media posts had circulated urging attacks on women during the celebrations.
The French interior ministry confirmed that 145 victims across the country reported being stabbed with needles, with 13 cases recorded in Paris alone. Officials have not yet determined if these incidents involved so-called needle spiking with date-rape drugs such as Rohypnol or GHB, which are sometimes used by attackers to incapacitate victims. Some victims were taken to hospital for toxicological tests.
In Paris, investigations began after three people—including a 15-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man—reported being stabbed in separate incidents and subsequently feeling unwell. Across France, 12 suspects have been arrested, including four in Angouleme who are suspected of targeting around 50 victims.
In addition to these arrests, more than 370 people were detained during the festival for various offenses, including nearly 90 in Paris. Fourteen festival participants were seriously injured, including a 17-year-old who was hospitalized with stab wounds to the lower abdomen. Thirteen law enforcement officers were also injured during the event.
Despite these incidents, the Paris police prefect, Laurent Nunez, stated that “no major incident has been reported.” Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to determine the motives and substances involved in the attacks.
