Illegal mega-rave taking place in mine-ridden French military firing range

French authorities are dealing with a sprawling illegal rave after more than 20,000 people descended on a military firing range near the city of Bourges, despite warnings that the site may still contain unexploded ordnance.

The gathering began on Thursday and continued into the weekend, with officials saying thousands more partygoers were still expected to arrive. The site has been used by the French military for more than 150 years to test artillery, missiles, and shells.

French military authorities told AFP the area is “very dangerous because of the unexploded ordnance it may contain.”

Still, the event carried on. Some reports indicated that additional arrivals pushed attendance even higher, turning the restricted zone into a makeshift festival ground with music, dancing, and large sound systems spread across the terrain.

Emergency services treated at least 12 people for minor injuries during the event, according to CNN.

Local officials moved to manage the situation even as it unfolded. “Despite its illegal nature, the State has mobilized to ensure the safety of this demonstration and limit the nuisances, particularly for the surrounding residents,” the local prefecture said, according to AFP.

Police deployed roughly 600 officers to the area after organizers failed to obtain authorization from authorities. Officers issued multiple fines, including drug-related citations, CNN reported.

Organizers of the so-called “Bourges Teknival” warned attendees not to dig, light fires, or remove any objects from the ground due to the risk of triggering unexploded explosives across the 24,700-acre firing range. Officials say the scale of the gathering and the sensitive nature of the site created significant operational challenges, especially given the unknown condition of the terrain.

The area’s long military history has left behind potential hazards, including old artillery shells that may still be active beneath the surface. The event comes as French lawmakers consider tougher rules targeting unauthorized “teknival” raves, including potential prison sentences for organizers and fines for attendees, according to France24.

Despite the warnings and police presence, the gathering continued to draw large crowds, with some estimates suggesting up to 10,000 additional participants could still arrive before the weekend ends.