145 pricked by syringes at French music festival

More than 145 people were pricked by syringes at a music festival in France, causing alarm and prompting authorities to launch an urgent investigation. The incidents occurred over the course of the event, leaving many attendees frightened and seeking medical attention. Police and medical teams are working together to assess the situation, identify any potential threats, and ensure the safety of festivalgoers. The mysterious attacks have raised serious concerns about security and public safety.

During a nationwide music festival in France, a disturbing trend emerged as authorities received numerous reports of people being jabbed with syringes. According to the French Ministry of the Interior, at least 145 people came forward with complaints of being pricked across various locations in the country. In response, police announced that 12 individuals had been detained for questioning in connection with these incidents, as the authorities tried to piece together the puzzling and alarming situation.

The incidents came to light amid celebrations of the Fête de la Musique, an annual music festival that draws massive crowds throughout France every June. The festivities this year were especially significant, with authorities estimating that the number of attendees in Paris was several times larger than usual. The sheer volume of people flooding the streets created a challenging environment for security forces, making it more difficult to pinpoint when and where the attacks occurred. According to authorities, the incidents were not confined to one area but were reported from various regions across the country. In the capital, the Paris police confirmed that at least 13 cases had been registered.

What made these attacks even more disturbing was the nature of the incidents themselves. Victims described being pricked by sharp objects, presumably syringes,  in the legs, arms, or buttocks. The phenomenon, called “needle spiking,” involves using a syringe to inject unsuspecting people, potentially with harmful substances. Authorities have yet to confirm the presence of any drugs or toxins, and it remains unclear if this was an attempt to incapacitate victims with substances like Rohypnol or GHB. Both of these are sedatives associated with “date-rape” incidents, causing disorientation, loss of consciousness, and vulnerability to assault. As a result, toxicology testing has been ramped up, and medical staff across the country have been called upon to assess those affected and carry out necessary analyses.

A spokesperson for the Interior Ministry emphasized that these incidents were being treated with utmost gravity. In a statement to CNN, she stated that investigations were well underway, and medical testing was being conducted to determine the nature of the attacks. Authorities have promised a thorough review and expressed their commitment to identifying and apprehending those responsible.

Police in Paris have expressed their concern about the trend and its potential connections to online threats. In the days leading up to the celebrations, certain social media platforms circulated warnings and calls for attacks specifically targeting women. Feminist activists and influencers, such as Abrège Soeur, raised alarm about messages urging perpetrators to use syringes as weapons. The police have been monitoring these posts closely and are exploring links between the online threats and the actual incidents that occurred.

Paris Police Chief Laurent Nuñez condemned these acts as serious offenses and decried the online calls for aggression, describing them as “completely idiotic” when speaking to the media. Authorities have opened formal investigations into three cases in Paris, including that of a 15‑year‑old girl and an 18‑year‑old man, both of whom reported feeling unwell after being pricked. According to BFMTV, the victims noticed discomfort and disorientation shortly after the attacks.

In total, across France, police arrested 371 people over the course of the music celebrations for a range of offenses, including nearly 90 in the capital. Authorities continue to review evidence and witness statements as part of their ongoing efforts to locate and charge those responsible for these disturbing incidents. The authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that public celebrations can take place safely and securely, as well as bringing any perpetrators to justice.

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Source: cnn‍