In a shocking series of events, approximately 150 attendees, predominantly teenage girls, were assaulted with syringes at a nationwide music festival in France this past Saturday. Officials have reported that a dozen individuals have been apprehended in relation to these unsettling incidents.
Investigations are currently underway by local and national law enforcement agencies into the series of disturbing incidents. The suspects, armed with syringes filled with an unknown substance, targeted 145 victims at the Fêtes de la Musique, also known as World Music Day, celebrations held across the country. Several victims were hospitalized as a result of the attacks.
The first reported incident occurred at 9:15 p.m. on Rue du Palais in Metz, northeastern France, as informed by Mayor François Grosdidie. Following a report of a suspect involved in one of the attacks, authorities utilized security footage to locate and apprehend him.
“The municipal police identified him on Rue Serpenoise, arrested him, and handed him over to the National Police and the Justice Department,” Grosdidie stated. He expressed hope that further investigation, including the examination of the suspect’s cellphone, would lead to the identification of other attackers.
Emergency services responded swiftly to each incident, deploying seven emergency vehicles and establishing a staging area for victims on Place d’Armes, according to Grosdidie.
This year’s Fêtes de la Musique, an annual free music festival held on the summer solstice, was expected to draw record-breaking crowds. The festival features a blend of professional and amateur musicians performing at various venues, including parks and street corners in cities across the country. It was estimated that 50,000 people attended the concerts in Metz, while Paris saw an influx of “unprecedented crowds.”
Despite warnings of the syringe attacks circulating on Snapchat and other social media platforms, millions of people across France participated in the festival on Saturday evening. The Interior Ministry reported that 145 victims nationwide reported being stabbed with needles, with 13 cases being investigated in Paris.
Officials have not confirmed whether the syringes contained substances such as rohypnol or GHB, commonly used by sexual predators to incapacitate their victims. As of Sunday, at least three individuals reported feeling unwell after being attacked.
The Interior Ministry confirmed the arrest of 12 suspects believed to be involved in the attacks. A police source informed that the attackers are believed to have targeted around 50 victims.