Global (Commonwealth Union) _ Fête de la Musique, an annual festival held in France, was marred by a mass number of concerning syringe attacks. The French Interior Ministry reported that the attack targeted at least 145 individuals.
Authorities have confirmed that 12 suspects have been taken into custody in connection with these incidents that stirred up nationwide concern regarding the safety of the public at large-scale events.
Every June 21, various streets, parks, and squares across the country host the music festival. The festival of 2025 saw record-breaking attendance, with officials noting an “unprecedented” turnout in Paris alone.
However, there are reports of individuals, mainly girls and young women, being pricked with needles by unknown assailants in various cities across the nation. Authorities in Metz identified 17 victims, aged between 14 and 20.
Several victims had reportedly experienced disorientation and confusion, symptoms that are often associated with needle spiking. The ministry confirmed that several victims had been hospitalized to conduct toxicology reports. However, it remains unclear whether “date-rape drugs” like GHB or Rohypnol spiked the needles.
Abrège Souer, a French influencer, has warned her followers on TikTok prior to the festival, stating that calls for syringe attacks have been circulating online. She advised the women to use the code H&M when communicating with someone as a discreet distress call. Law enforcement is currently conducting investigations to determine whether the June 21 attacks have any connection to these online calls.
Metz police have taken into custody a man they identified through surveillance footage. Local authorities are allegedly hoping to uncover connections to others who are connected to the syringe assaults through mobile phone data acquired from the arrested assailant.
The mayor of the city, François Grosdidier, addressed the incident in a post on social media, stating that “Risks are always present in the wild”, and acknowledged similar attacks in other cities in the region, emphasizing the scale of the attack.
Over 370 arrests were made across the nation, relating to various offences. 14 participants had attained serious injuries, including a 17-year-old stab victim. 13 police officers also sustained injuries while on duty.
