A festive evening meant to celebrate music and culture turned grim in France as 145 people reported being pricked by syringes during the annual Fête de la Musique. Crowds in cities like Paris, Metz, Tours, and Normandy were jolted into fear when reports of mysterious needle stabbings surfaced. French police confirmed 12 arrests linked to the bizarre assaults.
The attacks occurred during outdoor concerts with massive public participation. Many victims described sudden pain, confusion, and illness—raising suspicions of drug-induced attacks. Paris alone witnessed 13 such cases.
Warnings, Rumors, and Online Alerts
Before the event, a feminist influencer had posted warnings about syringe attacks targeting women, though the authenticity of the threats was unclear. Authorities now believe some suspects had plans to deliberately harm women, echoing concerns from prior years.
Needle spiking—covertly injecting victims with drugs like Rohypnol or GHB—is feared to be the motive in some cases, although no toxicology confirmations have been made public yet. Officials say some victims were hospitalized for further testing.
Arrests Across the Nation
Among those arrested were suspects in Angoulême and Metz, including individuals known to police for violent offenses. In Metz, a 20-year-old man was identified as a suspect after a female victim recognized him. In other regions, women were hospitalized with visible injection marks and physical pain.
Younger victims were also involved. In one report, a 15-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy were attacked in Paris. Authorities are treating some cases as serious assaults, with a 17-year-old found bleeding on a street with stab wounds to her abdomen.
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A Dark Pattern Resurfaces
This is not the first time France has been haunted by syringe attacks. In 2022, hundreds of similar cases were reported across clubs, bars, and music venues. Government advisories urged citizens to report symptoms and seek toxicology tests immediately if they suspected foul play.
This year’s spike in cases mirrors that pattern, with law enforcement bracing for more complaints. Nearly 370 people were detained during the nationwide celebration for various offenses, including 90 in Paris. The government is yet to issue a unified response on whether these were coordinated attacks or isolated cases.