French authorities made 243 arrests during this year’s Fête de la Musique, according to the Interior Ministry, as police reported multiple incidents of sexual violence, theft, and alleged assaults across Paris and other cities.
In Paris alone, 148 arrests were recorded as crowds of more than two million people gathered for the annual street music festival, reports the Daily Mail. Officials said incidents included fights, property damage, and multiple reports of individuals being attacked in different parts of the city.
"There's no music, it's world war Z," one attendee said. "It's only sirens and mobs and pandemonium. It's like the apocalypse."
Police are investigating more than ten reports from women who said they were injected with syringes with unknown substances during the event. Authorities have not confirmed the substances involved or the circumstances of each report. In at least one case, a man was briefly detained in Paris in connection with carrying syringes before fleeing the scene, according to officials.
Investigations are also looking into reported sexual assaults in Paris and surrounding suburbs. A government spokesperson said one case involved a woman in the 9th arrondissement who was allegedly injected and later assaulted in a private residence.
In the Paris suburbs of Gagny and Nogent-sur-Marne, police said a 12-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl were separately reported to have been sexually assaulted. A 48-year-old man was arrested in connection with one of those cases, authorities said.
Outside Paris, two people were stabbed in separate incidents near Toulouse and Colomiers shortly before midnight. Both victims were hospitalized and later described as being in stable condition. Investigators are reviewing footage from the area as part of the inquiry.
"Camera footage of the Fête de la Musique is being studied to try and find those using knives to stab people," an investigating source said.
Police also reported additional incidents of public disorder, including vehicle damage and fights in central Paris. Video circulating on social media appeared to show groups involved in confrontations and damaged cars in several locations.
One attendee described significant overcrowding in parts of the city center.
"Streets became dangerously overcrowded, and trouble makers took advantage," the witness said.
"There was a real fear that the fighting would cause a massive crush as people tried to get away."
In Paris alone, 148 arrests were recorded as crowds of more than two million people gathered for the annual street music festival, reports the Daily Mail. Officials said incidents included fights, property damage, and multiple reports of individuals being attacked in different parts of the city.
"There's no music, it's world war Z," one attendee said. "It's only sirens and mobs and pandemonium. It's like the apocalypse."
Police are investigating more than ten reports from women who said they were injected with syringes with unknown substances during the event. Authorities have not confirmed the substances involved or the circumstances of each report. In at least one case, a man was briefly detained in Paris in connection with carrying syringes before fleeing the scene, according to officials.
Investigations are also looking into reported sexual assaults in Paris and surrounding suburbs. A government spokesperson said one case involved a woman in the 9th arrondissement who was allegedly injected and later assaulted in a private residence.
In the Paris suburbs of Gagny and Nogent-sur-Marne, police said a 12-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl were separately reported to have been sexually assaulted. A 48-year-old man was arrested in connection with one of those cases, authorities said.
Outside Paris, two people were stabbed in separate incidents near Toulouse and Colomiers shortly before midnight. Both victims were hospitalized and later described as being in stable condition. Investigators are reviewing footage from the area as part of the inquiry.
"Camera footage of the Fête de la Musique is being studied to try and find those using knives to stab people," an investigating source said.
Police also reported additional incidents of public disorder, including vehicle damage and fights in central Paris. Video circulating on social media appeared to show groups involved in confrontations and damaged cars in several locations.
One attendee described significant overcrowding in parts of the city center.
"Streets became dangerously overcrowded, and trouble makers took advantage," the witness said.
"There was a real fear that the fighting would cause a massive crush as people tried to get away."
