Paris, June 23 — France’s beloved Fête de la Musique turned into a night of fear and confusion after authorities reported a disturbing wave of syringe attacks during the nationwide celebration.
At least 145 individuals have come forward alleging they were pricked with needles in incidents spread across the country, prompting the arrest of 12 suspects, according to the Interior Ministry.
Held annually on June 21, the Fête de la Musique typically draws millions of revelers into the streets for free performances by professional and amateur musicians.
This year, however, the festive atmosphere was marred by what officials are calling an “unprecedented wave” of assaults involving hypodermic syringes.
Interior Ministry figures show that Paris alone recorded 13 needle-pricking incidents. Authorities are still working to determine whether any of the attacks involved date-rape drugs like GHB or Rohypnol, often used to incapacitate victims.
In three confirmed cases in the capital—including those involving a 15-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man—victims reported feeling unwell shortly after being pricked. All three were hospitalized and subjected to toxicological screening, though results have not yet been made public.
“Some victims were taken to hospital for toxicological tests,” the Interior Ministry confirmed in a statement released Sunday.
Investigators say the attacks may have been planned in advance. Posts on Snapchat and other social media platforms allegedly encouraged targeting women during the festival. Authorities are now reviewing digital evidence to establish whether the arrested individuals had any connection to these online messages.
According to a police source, the 12 arrested suspects may be responsible for as many as 50 of the attacks. It remains unclear whether all the syringes contained any substances or whether some were used solely to provoke fear and panic.
The violence extended beyond the syringe incidents. A total of 371 individuals were detained nationwide for various offenses during the festivities. In Paris alone, nearly 90 people were taken into custody on charges ranging from public intoxication to assault.
More disturbingly, 14 festivalgoers suffered serious injuries, including a 17-year-old found with stab wounds to his lower abdomen. He was rushed to hospital in critical condition. Law enforcement was not spared from the mayhem either—13 officers were reported injured in clashes with unruly crowds.
Security experts say the festival’s open and decentralized nature makes it vulnerable to such threats. “It’s a celebration designed to bring people together in public spaces, but the lack of structured access control creates challenges,” said Laurent Gendrot, a Paris-based public safety consultant.
The Interior Ministry said it is working closely with prosecutors and health officials to track the extent of the syringe-related attacks. Victims are encouraged to come forward and seek medical attention immediately.
As France reckons with the fallout from this year’s Fête de la Musique, questions are being raised about how to preserve the spirit of the event while ensuring public safety. With investigations ongoing, the mood in cities across the country has turned from joyful to deeply concerned.
