Nearly 150 Report Being Jabbed With Needles at French Music Festival – The New York Times
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France music festivals: Twelve arrested after nearly 150 people report being stabbed with syringes at music festivals across France
Nearly 150 people have reported being stabbed with syringes at a popular music festival taking place across France. Police have arrested twelve suspects after revellers said they were pricked with needles. The festival drew crowds all over the country, with millions taking to the streets to celebrate the start of summer. More than 370 people were also detained during the festival on other charges. Ahead of the festival, posts shared on Snapchat and other social media called for people to target women, local media reported.
Police have arrested twelve suspects after revellers said they were pricked with syringes, including 13 victims in Paris, during the country’s annual Fête de la Musique festival.
The festival drew crowds all over the country, with millions taking to the streets to celebrate the start of summer, resulted in densely-packed streets in Paris.
Thousands of people gather at the Chatelet district and on the banks of the Seine to celebrate Fête de la Musique. (Anadolu via Getty Images)
France’s interior ministry said 145 victims reported being stabbed with needles.
In Paris, police began investigating after a 15-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man said they had been stabbed in separate incidents across the capital.
The exact contents of the syringes remains unknown, however some victims reported feeling unwell.
“Some victims were taken to hospital for toxicological tests,” the ministry said.
Ahead of the festival, posts shared on Snapchat and other social media called for people to target women, local media reported.
François Grosdidie, Mayor of Metz, shared an Instagram post of police after reports of syringe attacks in the city. (Instagram/@francois_grosdidier)
The first attack was reported around 9.15pm local time in the city of Metz, north-eastern France, mayor François Grosdidie said.
Grosdidie said around 15 young girls aged between 14 to 20 were victims in Metz.
“The risks are always present in unbridled environments and, over the hours, intoxicated. But we’ve faced syringe aggression,” Grosdidie said in a translated post on Instagram.
Twelve people suspected of being responsible for the stabbings have been taken into custody.
More than 370 people were also detained during the festival on other charges.
“Violence Against Women”: Nearly 150 People Jabbed With Syringes At A Popular Music Festival
France’s beloved Fête de la Musique or World Music Day festival descended into chaos on Saturday, June 21. Almost 150 people, many of whom were teenage girls, were jabbed with syringes during the nationwide celebration. 12 suspects have been arrested across France, and among them, four people in the south-western city of Angoulême were suspected of having targeted about 50 victims. Authorities have not yet confirmed what substance, if any, was injected into victims. It is also unclear whether the attacks were coordinated or led by the same group in different parts of France. More than 370 people were arrested for the syringe attack, and almost 90 people were detained on different charges during the music festival on June 21, including charges of assault, exploitation and exploitation of a vulnerable person. For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or see www.samaritans.org for details. In the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.
Police arrested 12 suspects after victims were assaulted with syringes across the country during its annual “Fête de la Musique” or World Music Day festival.
“This is absolutely horrifying,” one commented online, “unlocked a whole new fear for me.”
France’s beloved Fête de la Musique or World Music Day festival descended into chaos on Saturday, June 21
On Saturday, June 21, millions of people took to the streets to join the celebrations across the country.
“Unprecedented crowds” had gathered in the capital city of Paris for the festival, which saw a mix of professional and amateur artists playing at different venues, including parks and street corners in different French cities.
Prior to the festival, posts on social media reportedly claimed that women would be targeted in attacks during the revelry.
There were even warnings on Snapchat and other platforms about attackers striking people with a syringe.
Nearly 150 people, many of whom were teenage girls, were jabbed with syringes during the nationwide celebration
Suspects allegedly jabbed around 145 victims in different places across the country, out of which there were 13 cases in Paris alone.
A number of teenage girls were among the unsuspecting victims pricked with the needles.
Officials have not yet confirmed what substance, if any, was injected into victims.
It is also unclear whether the attacks were coordinated or led by the same group in different parts of France.
Twelve suspects have been arrested in connection to the syringe assaults across France
Fête de la Musique or “music day” in Paris, France. 145 people were assaulted with syringes and many were stabbed. This is the future for us and our children unless we accept that the status quo is not working. pic.twitter.com/fwFimXKg04 — Professor James Moriarty (@_RogueScholar_) June 23, 2025
Cops received the first report of such a syringe attack at around 9:15 p.m. on the Rue du Palais in Metz, a city in northeastern France where around 50,000 people are believed to have attended concerts that were part of the festival.
Metz Mayor François Grosdidie said officials used security footage to track down one of the suspects believed to be involved in one of the attacks.
“The municipal police identified him on Rue Serpenoise, arrested him, and made him available to the National Police and the Justice Department,” the mayor said in a social media post.
“I hope that the investigation, particularly through the examination of his cellphone, will lead to the identification of other attackers,” he added.
Disturbing messages on Snapchat and other platforms gave warnings about syringe attacks ahead of the festival
Meanwhile, in Paris, three people including a 15-year-old girl and an 18-year-old male had reported being jabbed.
These attacks took place in separate incidents across the capital, and all three later reported feeling unwell, prosecutors said.
In total, 12 suspects have been arrested across France, and among them, four people in the south-western city of Angoulême were suspected of having targeted about 50 victims.
More than a dozen young women are believed to have been hospitalized across the country as well.
“Some victims were taken to hospital for toxicological tests,” the interior ministry said.
Authorities have not confirmed what, if anything, was injected into the victims
Netizens were stunned to hear about the bizarre syringe attack, with one saying, “People have lost their minds.”
“Such a disturbing act,” read one comment. “I hope they catch whoever did this and that the victims recover quickly and fully.”
“Wow…that would be horrifying. I would lose my mind with all the ifs running through it,” another wrote.
While it is unclear what substance the syringe-wielding assailants were injecting, it is not uncommon world-over for attackers to shoot illicit substances into their targets.
These substances can incapacitate a person, making them vulnerable to serious assaults and exploitation.
Rohypnol (Roofies) and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) are some of the common substances used by perpetrators of this crime.
The night also saw brawls, at least one stabbing, and more than 370 arrests nationwide
Apart from suspects arrested for the syringe attack in France, over 370 people others were detained during the music festival on different charges. This included almost 90 people in Paris alone.
In one incident, François said a suspect was arrested for “slapping a young girl.”
There were also other “brawls” that unfolded throughout the event, he said.
Furthermore, a 17-year-old concertgoer was rushed to the hospital after being found sitting on the street with stab wounds to the lower abdomen.
Officials said 13 law enforcement officials also sustained injuries during the festival.
“This is absolutely horrifying. My heart goes out to all the victims,” read one comment online
Teen girls among 145 stabbed with syringes across France at popular music festival, 12 sickos arrested
The first attack was reported to police at 9:15 p.m. on the Rue du Palais in Metz in northeastern France. Police arrested 12 suspects who they believe were involved in the twisted syringe attacks, the Interior Ministry said. The attackers are believed to have targeted around 50 victims, a police source told La Monde. Officials did not specify if the syringes were filled with date-rape drugs such as rohypnol or GHB, used by sexual assailants to make women and girls vulnerable to sexual assault. Millions of people across France attended Saturday’s Fêtes de la Musique, a free music festival held every year on the summer solstice.
Local and national law enforcement are investigating the wave of deranged incidents in which suspects wielding syringes with unknown contents jabbed 145 victims at the popular Fêtes de la Musique, or World Music Day, celebrations across the country, causing several to be hospitalized.
3 Police in France are investigating bizarre syringe attacks at Saturday’s Fêtes de la Musique, or World Music Day, celebrations on Saturday. POOL/AFP via Getty Images
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The first attack was reported to police at 9:15 p.m. on the Rue du Palais in Metz in northeastern France, according to Mayor François Grosdidie.
Authorities received a report of a suspect involved in one of the attacks and used security footage to track him down, Grosdidie said.
“The municipal police identified him on Rue Serpenoise, arrested him, and made him available to the National Police and the Justice Department,” he added.
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“I hope that the investigation, particularly through the examination of his cellphone, will lead to the identification of other attackers.”
Firefighters responded promptly to each attack, deploying seven emergency vehicles and creating a staging area for the victims on Place d’Armes, Grosdidie said.
French officials were anticipating unprecedented crowds for this year’s Fêtes de la Musique, a free music festival held every year on the summer solstice.
3 Millions of people across France attended Saturday’s Fêtes de la Musique. Abdullah Firas/ABACA/Shutterstock
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It showcases a mix of professional and amateur musicians who play at different venues, including parks and street corners in cities across the country. Officials estimated that 50,000 people attended the concerts in Metz while “unprecedented crowds” descended upon Paris.
Across France, there were millions of people who took to the streets Saturday evening for the festival, according to La Monde. None of them were deterred by posts on Snapchat and other social media sites warning of the bizarre syringe attacks.
The Interior Ministry said 145 victims across the nation reported being stabbed with needles, with Paris police officials probing 13 cases in the capital.
Officials did not specify if the syringes were filled with date-rape drugs such as rohypnol or GHB, used by sexual assailants to make women and girls vulnerable to sexual assault, La Monde reported.
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As of Sunday, at least three people reported feeling sick after getting jabbed by the syringe-wielding maniacs.
3 Police arrested 12 suspects who they believe were involved in the twisted syringe attacks, the Interior Ministry said. AFP via Getty Images
“Some victims were taken to hospital for toxicological tests,” the ministry said.
Police arrested 12 suspects who they believe were involved in the twisted syringe attacks, the Interior Ministry said. The attackers are believed to have targeted around 50 victims, a police source told La Monde.
France’s disturbing syringe incident: Teen girls among 145 attacked. Were those laced with date-rape drugs?
145 people, including teen girls, were pricked with syringes during the country’s annual street music festival this weekend. A male suspect was later arrested after being identified by one of the victims. Officials are yet to say if these were cases were so-called needle spiking with date-rape drugs such as Rohypnol or GHB, used by attackers to render victims confused or inconscious and vulnerable to sexual assault. Fourteen festivalgoers sustained serious injuries, including a 17-year-old who was hospitalized with stab wounds to the lower abdomen. Over 370 individuals were taken into custody during the festival for various offenses, with nearly 90 arrests occurring in Paris alone.
Across France, there were millions of people who took to the streets Saturday evening for the festival
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145 stabbed with syringes across France
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Police in France have detained as many as 12 suspects after 145 people, including teen girls, were pricked with syringes during the country’s annual street music festival this weekend. Local and national law enforcement officials are investigating the disturbing incident in which suspects wielding syringes with unknown contents jabbed 145 victims at the popular Fêtes de la Musique , or World Music Day, prompting several to be hospitalized.Millions of people took to the streets across France on Saturday evening for the Fete de la Musique, with authorities reporting “unprecedented crowds” in Paris. However, officials are yet to say if these were cases were so-called needle spiking with date-rape drugs such as Rohypnol or GHB, used by attackers to render victims confused or inconscious and vulnerable to sexual assault.The attack reportedly happened at 9:15 pm on the Rue du Palais in Metz in northeastern France, according to Mayor François Grosdidie. Authorities received a report of a suspect involved in one of the attacks and used security footage to track him down, Grosdidie said.“The municipal police identified him on Rue Serpenoise, arrested him, and made him available to the National Police and the Justice Department,” he added. “I hope that the investigation, particularly through the examination of his cellphone, will lead to the identification of other attackers.””Some victims were taken to hospital for toxicological tests,” the interior ministry said. Authorities in Paris have launched investigations after three individuals—including a 15-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man—reported being stabbed in separate incidents across the city, prosecutors said. Each of the victims reported feeling unwell following the attacks.Across France, there were millions of people who took to the streets Saturday evening for the festival, according to La Monde. None of them were deterred by posts on Snapchat and other social media sites warning of the bizarre syringe attack.In addition to the identified suspects, over 370 individuals were taken into custody during the festival for various offenses, with nearly 90 arrests occurring in Paris alone. Fourteen festivalgoers sustained serious injuries. Among them was a 17-year-old who was hospitalized after being discovered on the street with stab wounds to the lower abdomen.Thirteen law enforcement officers were also injured. Despite these incidents, Paris police chief Laurent Nunez stated that “no major incident has been reported.”(With AFP inputs)
“People Have Lost Their Minds”: Nearly 150 Jabbed In Mass Syringe Attack At Music Festival
France’s beloved Fête de la Musique or World Music Day festival descended into chaos on Saturday, June 21. 145 people were assaulted with syringes and many were stabbed. 12 suspects have been arrested across France, and several people were hospitalized. A number of teenage girls were among the unsuspecting victims pricked with the needles. Authorities have not yet confirmed what substance, if any, was injected into victims.Disturbing messages on Snapchat and other platforms gave warnings about syringe attacks ahead of the festival. Around 50,000 people are believed to have attended concerts in the capital city of Paris for the festival, which saw a mix of professional and amateur artists playing at different venues, including parks and street corners in different French cities. The first report of such a syringe attack at around 9:15 p.m. on the Rue du Palais in Metz, a city in northeastern France, was made by a 15-year-old girl who was jabbed with a needle.
Almost 150 concertgoers were jabbed with a syringe during a nationwide music festival in France, turning a night of revelry into a pure nightmare.
Police arrested 12 suspects after victims were assaulted with syringes across the country during its annual “Fête de la Musique” or World Music Day festival.
“This is absolutely horrifying,” one commented online, “unlocked a whole new fear for me.”
Highlights France’s Fête de la Musique or World Music Day festival descended into chaos on Saturday, June 21.
Many victims were jabbed with syringes during the nationwide celebration.
12 suspects have been arrested, and several people were hospitalized.
Prior to the festival, posts on social media reportedly claimed that women would be targeted during the celebrations.
BP News – Your Source for Balanced News
France’s beloved Fête de la Musique or World Music Day festival descended into chaos on Saturday, June 21
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Image credits: Luc Auffret / Getty Images
On Saturday, June 21, millions of people took to the streets to join the celebrations across the country.
“Unprecedented crowds” had gathered in the capital city of Paris for the festival, which saw a mix of professional and amateur artists playing at different venues, including parks and street corners in different French cities.
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Share icon
Image credits: Kiran Ridley / Getty Images
Prior to the festival, posts on social media reportedly claimed that women would be targeted in attacks during the revelry.
There were even warnings on Snapchat and other platforms about attackers striking people with a syringe.
Nearly 150 people, many of whom were teenage girls, were jabbed with syringes during the nationwide celebration
Share icon
Image credits: javgutierrez / stock.adobe (not the actual photo)
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Suspects allegedly jabbed around 145 victims in different places across the country, out of which there were 13 cases in Paris alone.
A number of teenage girls were among the unsuspecting victims pricked with the needles.
Share icon
Image credits: francois_grosdidier / Instagram
Officials have not yet confirmed what substance, if any, was injected into victims.
It is also unclear whether the attacks were coordinated or led by the same group in different parts of France.
Twelve suspects have been arrested in connection to the syringe assaults across France
Fête de la Musique or “music day” in Paris, France. 145 people were assaulted with syringes and many were stabbed. This is the future for us and our children unless we accept that the status quo is not working. pic.twitter.com/fwFimXKg04 — Professor James Moriarty (@_RogueScholar_) June 23, 2025
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Cops received the first report of such a syringe attack at around 9:15 p.m. on the Rue du Palais in Metz, a city in northeastern France where around 50,000 people are believed to have attended concerts that were part of the festival.
Metz Mayor François Grosdidie said officials used security footage to track down one of the suspects believed to be involved in one of the attacks.
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Image credits: francois_grosdidier / Instagram
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“The municipal police identified him on Rue Serpenoise, arrested him, and made him available to the National Police and the Justice Department,” the mayor said in a social media post.
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“I hope that the investigation, particularly through the examination of his cellphone, will lead to the identification of other attackers,” he added.
Disturbing messages on Snapchat and other platforms gave warnings about syringe attacks ahead of the festival
Share icon
Image credits: francois_grosdidier / Instagram
Meanwhile, in Paris, three people including a 15-year-old girl and an 18-year-old male had reported being jabbed.
These attacks took place in separate incidents across the capital, and all three later reported feeling unwell, prosecutors said.
Share icon
Image credits: francois_grosdidier / Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT
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In total, 12 suspects have been arrested across France, and among them, four people in the south-western city of Angoulême were suspected of having targeted about 50 victims.
More than a dozen young women are believed to have been hospitalized across the country as well.
“Some victims were taken to hospital for toxicological tests,” the interior ministry said.
Authorities have not confirmed what, if anything, was injected into the victims
Share icon
Image credits: francois_grosdidier / Instagram
Netizens were stunned to hear about the bizarre syringe attack, with one saying, “People have lost their minds.”
“Such a disturbing act,” read one comment. “I hope they catch whoever did this and that the victims recover quickly and fully.”
ADVERTISEMENT
“Wow…that would be horrifying. I would lose my mind with all the ifs running through it,” another wrote.
While it is unclear what substance the syringe-wielding assailants were injecting, it is not uncommon world-over for attackers to shoot illicit substances into their targets.
These substances can incapacitate a person, making them vulnerable to serious assaults and exploitation.
Rohypnol (Roofies) and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) are some of the common substances used by perpetrators of this crime.
The night also saw brawls, at least one stabbing, and more than 370 arrests nationwide
Share icon
Image credits: francois_grosdidier / Instagram
Apart from suspects arrested for the syringe attack in France, over 370 people others were detained during the music festival on different charges. This included almost 90 people in Paris alone.
ADVERTISEMENT
In one incident, François said a suspect was arrested for “slapping a young girl.”
There were also other “brawls” that unfolded throughout the event, he said.
Share icon
Image credits: Alotrobo / Pexels (not the actual photo)
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Furthermore, a 17-year-old concertgoer was rushed to the hospital after being found sitting on the street with stab wounds to the lower abdomen.
Officials said 13 law enforcement officials also sustained injuries during the festival.
“This is absolutely horrifying. My heart goes out to all the victims,” read one comment online
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