French police have detained 12 suspects after 145 people reported being stabbed with syringes during the country’s annual Fête de la Musique celebration, according to the Guardian. The motive remains unclear, and authorities have not confirmed whether the needles were laced with date rape substances – drugs such as Rohypnol or GHB. According to CBS News, the investigation is ongoing, and toxicology tests are being conducted on some victims.
According to CBS News, this incident highlights a worrying trend. In 2021, the UK saw a rise in similar syringe attacks targeting young women in bars and nightclubs. In 2022, France reported multiple cases of syringe assaults at clubs, bars, and public events, prompting the government to issue safety warnings urging partygoers to stay vigilant and those who feel they’ve been drugged to seek immediate police assistance.
On Saturday, millions gathered in cities across France for Fête de la Musique, an annual celebration held in mid-June where musicians and dancers take to the streets. The joyous festivities were disrupted when over one hundred attendees across France reported syringe attacks.
At least 12 arrested in France
According to the French Interior Ministry, some victims were hospitalized for toxicological testing.
According to the Guardian, in Metz, two men were arrested after a woman reported being stabbed with a syringe and recognized one of them. The Guardian also reported that one of the suspects, a 20-year-old, was already known to police for prior aggressive behavior, according to local prosecutors.
Four of the 12 main suspects were arrested in the city of Angoulême, where they are believed to have targeted up to 50 victims. In total, over 370 people were detained at the festival for various offenses. Among the more serious incidents, 14 people were injured, including a 17-year-old who was found with stab wounds and rushed to the hospital, according to the Guardian.