In a disturbing incident at France’s Fêtes de la Musique on Saturday, nearly 150 attendees, primarily teenage girls, were attacked with syringes, prompting a nationwide investigation. Local officials confirmed that 12 suspects have been arrested as authorities work to understand the motives behind this bizarre wave of assaults.
The chaotic events began around 9:15 p.m. on Rue du Palais in Metz, where the first reports of syringe attacks emerged, as detailed by Mayor François Grosdidie. He stated that police were able to identify and arrest one suspect using security footage.
“The municipal police identified him on Rue Serpenoise, arrested him, and made him available to the National Police and the Justice Department,” Grosdidie explained. He expressed hope that further investigation, particularly an examination of the suspect’s cellphone, would lead to the identification of other individuals involved in the attacks.
Emergency services quickly responded to the situation, deploying seven vehicles and setting up a staging area for victims at Place d’Armes. This year’s Fêtes de la Musique, which traditionally draws large crowds to celebrate the summer solstice with performances by various artists, saw an estimated 50,000 participants in Metz and millions across the country.
Despite warnings circulating on social media about the attacks, the festival continued to attract massive crowds. According to reports from La Monde, the Interior Ministry confirmed that 145 people nationwide had reported being stabbed with needles, with Paris police conducting investigations into 13 cases in the capital.
Authorities have not disclosed whether the syringes contained substances commonly associated with sexual assaults, such as Rohypnol or GHB. As of Sunday, at least three individuals reported feeling unwell after being attacked, with some victims hospitalized for toxicological assessments.
The ongoing investigation into these bizarre attacks has raised significant concern, as police sources indicated that the identified suspects may have targeted around 50 victims.