French authorities are investigating a series of syringe attacks that occurred during the country’s annual Fêtes de la Musique, with nearly 150 victims reporting being jabbed by unknown assailants at events across the nation.
Law enforcement officials have taken 12 suspects into custody in connection with the incidents, which primarily targeted teenage girls, according to the Interior Ministry.
The attacks unfolded during the nationwide World Music Day celebrations held on Saturday, which drew millions of people to public spaces and parks for free performances.
The first attack was reported to police at 9:15 pm on Rue du Palais in Metz, Mayor François Grosdidie said. Authorities used surveillance footage to locate and apprehend one suspect.
“The municipal police identified him on Rue Serpenoise, arrested him, and made him available to the National Police and the Justice Department,” Grosdidie stated, according to the Daily Mail. "I hope that the investigation, particularly through the examination of his cellphone, will lead to the identification of other attackers.”
Firefighters quickly responded to the scene, deploying seven emergency vehicles and establishing a victim care area at Place d’Armes.
According to the Interior Ministry, 145 people nationwide reported being stabbed with syringes, including 13 in Paris alone. The motive and contents of the syringes remain unclear.
“Some victims were taken to hospital for toxicological tests,” the ministry confirmed, noting that at least three individuals reported feeling ill after being jabbed.
La Monde reported that police are still working to determine whether any of the syringes contained drugs such as GHB or rohypnol, substances often associated with sexual assault.
A police source told the outlet that the attacks may have targeted roughly 50 teen girls.
Thirteen police officers were also injured over the course of the evening. Authorities have not released details about the suspects or confirmed whether the attacks were coordinated.
Emmanuel Sémo, one of the event organizers, said such incidents have become more common in recent years, particularly in Paris, and may be linked to online trends.
“Over the past three years, this type of incident has unfortunately been on the rise in major cities, particularly in Paris, often amplified by viral TikTok challenges,” Sémo said. “However, at our event, we take these risks very seriously and have implemented heightened vigilance measures to ensure everyone's safety.”
Sémo said his team reinforced security checks and increased patrols to monitor for suspicious behavior. Though two suspected syringe incidents were reported at his event, emergency services later determined both were false alarms.
“This year, we had two suspected cases out of over 17,000 attendees. After investigation by emergency services, both were proven to be false alarms,” he said. “While this represents an extremely low incident rate, safety remains an absolute priority for us.”
Fêtes de la Musique is celebrated annually on June 21 in more than 120 countries.
The event encourages citizens to perform music in public spaces, marking the beginning of summer with a festival-like atmosphere.
Law enforcement officials have taken 12 suspects into custody in connection with the incidents, which primarily targeted teenage girls, according to the Interior Ministry.
The attacks unfolded during the nationwide World Music Day celebrations held on Saturday, which drew millions of people to public spaces and parks for free performances.
The first attack was reported to police at 9:15 pm on Rue du Palais in Metz, Mayor François Grosdidie said. Authorities used surveillance footage to locate and apprehend one suspect.
“The municipal police identified him on Rue Serpenoise, arrested him, and made him available to the National Police and the Justice Department,” Grosdidie stated, according to the Daily Mail. "I hope that the investigation, particularly through the examination of his cellphone, will lead to the identification of other attackers.”
Firefighters quickly responded to the scene, deploying seven emergency vehicles and establishing a victim care area at Place d’Armes.
According to the Interior Ministry, 145 people nationwide reported being stabbed with syringes, including 13 in Paris alone. The motive and contents of the syringes remain unclear.
“Some victims were taken to hospital for toxicological tests,” the ministry confirmed, noting that at least three individuals reported feeling ill after being jabbed.
La Monde reported that police are still working to determine whether any of the syringes contained drugs such as GHB or rohypnol, substances often associated with sexual assault.
A police source told the outlet that the attacks may have targeted roughly 50 teen girls.
Thirteen police officers were also injured over the course of the evening. Authorities have not released details about the suspects or confirmed whether the attacks were coordinated.
Emmanuel Sémo, one of the event organizers, said such incidents have become more common in recent years, particularly in Paris, and may be linked to online trends.
“Over the past three years, this type of incident has unfortunately been on the rise in major cities, particularly in Paris, often amplified by viral TikTok challenges,” Sémo said. “However, at our event, we take these risks very seriously and have implemented heightened vigilance measures to ensure everyone's safety.”
Sémo said his team reinforced security checks and increased patrols to monitor for suspicious behavior. Though two suspected syringe incidents were reported at his event, emergency services later determined both were false alarms.
“This year, we had two suspected cases out of over 17,000 attendees. After investigation by emergency services, both were proven to be false alarms,” he said. “While this represents an extremely low incident rate, safety remains an absolute priority for us.”
Fêtes de la Musique is celebrated annually on June 21 in more than 120 countries.
The event encourages citizens to perform music in public spaces, marking the beginning of summer with a festival-like atmosphere.
