French authorities have arrested 12 individuals in connection with nonconsensual syringe attacks at French Festival Fête de la Musique.
Those who attend large-scale events now have new drugging risks to consider in light of recent events. Earlier this month, Colorado Burning Man regional event Apogaea was halted halfway through after people’s water supply tested positive for fentanyl. Now, women attending the street festival Fête de la Musique across France have been targeted with nonconsensual syringe attacks.
Social media posts prior to the Saturday, June 21 event had encouraged those who engaged in the attacks to target women, according to France 24. At least 145 people — both men and women — were then injected against their will throughout the nationwide celebration. Authorities report that they have since arrested 12 individuals in connection with the attacks.
In Paris alone, 13 individuals were injected. Police started investigating after the first three reports — including a 15-year-old girl and 18-year-old man — all of whom said they felt unwell.
A high concentration of attacks took place in the southwestern city of Angouleme, where four of the suspects were detained in connection to 50 attacks. Incidents were also reported in cities like Metz, Rouen, and Évreux.
It remains unclear whether historically common date rape drugs such as GHB or Rohypnol were used in the attacks. The interior ministry said, “Some victims were taken to hospital for toxicological tests.”
As noted by The Guardian, a spate of syringe attacks throughout French clubs and events in 2022 prompted lawmakers to send out messages encouraging vigilance in these settings. Over the course of the year, hundreds of reports were made throughout cities like Nantes, Grenoble, and Toulouse.
Fête de la Musique, which drew “unprecedented” crowds in the millions this year, coincided with more than 370 arrests in total for various offenses. In addition, 27 people were injured, 13 of which were law enforcement officers.
