From melody to menace: Needle spiking haunts France’s music festival

France’s beloved Fête de la Musique was marred this weekend by a disturbing surge of syringe attacks, with 145 people across the country reporting they had been pricked with needles during the annual celebration.

French police have detained 12 suspects in connection with the incidents, which have sparked renewed concerns over public safety and the persistent threat of so-called “needle spiking.”

Held every June 21, the Fête de la Musique transforms streets and squares into open-air concert venues, attracting millions to celebrate music and culture.

This year, the atmosphere turned uneasy as reports of mysterious syringe stabbings emerged from multiple cities, including Paris, Metz, Rouen, Évreux, and Tours.

Authorities described the crowds as “unprecedented,” particularly in Paris, where 13 needle attack cases were reported.

Among the victims were a 15-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man who sought medical help after experiencing symptoms of illness following the attacks.

The French interior ministry confirmed that some of the injured were hospitalized for toxicology screenings.

Although officials have yet to confirm whether any of the victims were injected with drugs commonly used in chemical submission, such as GHB or Rohypnol.

Social media played a troubling role in the lead-up to the festival.

Influencer Abrège Soeur, known for her feminist advocacy, warned followers that online messages had surfaced urging attackers to target women with syringes during the festivities.

The origin and authenticity of those messages remain unverified, but the warning added to growing public anxiety as the music-filled weekend approached.

Police launched investigations in multiple cities, and arrests were swiftly made.

In Angoulême, a city in southwestern France, four people were detained on suspicion of involvement in approximately 50 reported needle assaults.

Two additional suspects were apprehended in Metz, northeastern France.

One was caught in possession of a syringe, while a female victim identified the other man as her attacker.

The alleged victims in Metz were believed to be minors, and one of the suspects, a 20-year-old man, was already known to police for prior violent behavior.

Further cases emerged in Normandy, where women in Évreux and Rouen reported being jabbed with needles during public gatherings.

One woman sought hospital treatment for pain in her arm, believed to be the site of the prick.

In Tours, 13 women approached emergency responders with similar complaints.

Although syringe attacks in France are not new, this latest string of incidents has revived fears first raised during a 2022 wave of similar reports.

That year, hundreds of people, both women and men, reported being pricked in nightclubs, bars, theaters, and festivals.

In response, the government issued public alerts, encouraging anyone who suspected they had been drugged via syringe to seek immediate medical and police assistance.

Toxicology tests were recommended to detect possible substances introduced during the assaults.

According to a police memo from 2022, syringe marks were commonly found on the arms, backs, or buttocks of victims, often without any awareness of who had committed the act.

Many cases went unsolved due to the fleeting nature of the encounters and a lack of forensic evidence.

This year’s festival also saw broader unrest.

Authorities reported over 370 arrests across the country for various offenses, with nearly 90 in Paris alone.

Fourteen individuals sustained serious injuries during the night, including a 17-year-old boy found stabbed in the abdomen.

Law enforcement was also impacted, with 13 officers injured while maintaining public order.

As France enters a busy summer season of open-air concerts and festivals, especially in the lead-up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, public safety remains a top concern.

Authorities have pledged to enhance surveillance and response protocols, urging citizens to stay vigilant and report any suspicious behavior immediately.

While investigations continue, the troubling events of this year’s Fête de la Musique have left many festivalgoers questioning how such acts could unfold in large, crowded spaces.

Also, it has raised questions on whether the joy of spontaneous celebration is being overshadowed by fear.

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