EU Needle Spiking Panic Mars France's Fête de la Musique as 145 Reported Attacks Investigated

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Needle Spiking Panic Mars France's Fête de la Musique as 145 Reported Attacks Investigated

 

A nationwide music celebration in France turned sinister over the weekend after 145 people reported being pricked with syringes during the annual Fête de la Musique festival. French police detained 12 individuals on Sunday in connection with the disturbing incidents, which occurred in cities across the country, including at least 13 cases confirmed by police in Paris alone.

 

 

The attacks have sparked widespread alarm and prompted an ongoing investigation by French authorities, who are working to determine whether any victims were injected with harmful substances, including potential date-rape drugs such as Rohypnol or GHB. These substances are known to cause disorientation, unconsciousness, and can render victims vulnerable to assault.

 

“The ministry is taking this very seriously,” a spokeswoman from France’s interior ministry told CNN on Monday. “Toxicology tests are being done and the investigation is ongoing.”

 

Millions of people had poured into the streets to take part in Fête de la Musique, a nationwide celebration of street music and performance. Officials described the turnout in Paris as “unprecedented,” with Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez estimating that the capital saw crowds three to four times larger than usual.

 

Ahead of the festival, concerns had already been raised about potential attacks. Feminist influencers, including the prominent voice Abrège Soeur, issued warnings about online chatter that encouraged targeting women with syringe pricks during the event.

 

“These are extremely serious incidents,” Nuñez said in an interview with French broadcaster CNews, where he condemned the online posts as “completely idiotic.”

 

In Paris, local prosecutors confirmed that separate investigations were launched after three people reported being pricked. Among them were a 15-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man, all of whom said they felt unwell shortly after the incidents. The cases were reported from various parts of the city and have drawn national concern.

 

Needle spiking, while relatively new, has become an increasing threat at large public gatherings and in nightlife venues, particularly across Europe. Victims are often unaware they’ve been attacked until they experience symptoms or discover puncture marks.

 

Alongside the syringe attacks, law enforcement reported a total of 371 arrests nationwide on Saturday night for various disturbances, including nearly 90 in Paris. The Ministry of the Interior did not elaborate on whether any of those detained were directly linked to the needle spiking cases.

 

As toxicology results are still pending, questions remain over whether the pricks involved drugging agents or were simply intended to cause panic. Authorities have emphasized that the full scale and motivation behind the attacks remain unclear.

 

For now, the incident has cast a shadow over one of France’s most beloved cultural events. What was meant to be a night of open-air music and unity has instead highlighted a troubling trend in public safety and prompted calls for increased protection at future gatherings.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from CNN  2025-06-26

 

 

[Gandtee]

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