What was meant to be a night of music, joy, and celebration turned grim as France’s annual Fête de la Musique was marred by a disturbing wave of needle attacks across the country. French police have detained 12 suspects following reports from 145 victims, including 13 in Paris, who say they were injected with syringes during the crowded festivities on Saturday night.
Authorities reported “unprecedented crowds” at the nationwide celebration, which saw people gather in cities and towns for free concerts and street performances. Among those attacked were several women and underage girls, many of whom were hospitalized and underwent toxicology tests to determine if they were exposed to substances such as Rohypnol or GHB—drugs commonly associated with sexual assault.
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While the French Interior Ministry confirmed that the incidents are being taken “extremely seriously,” it has not yet verified the presence of date-rape drugs in the victims’ systems. Investigations are actively ongoing.
Prior Warnings Ignored
In the lead-up to the festival, several social media influencers and activists had sounded the alarm, warning of online posts inciting men to target women with syringe attacks during the event. However, despite these warnings, the attacks still occurred, prompting criticism over lack of preventive measures.
Paris Police Chief Laurent Nuñez labeled the attacks as “extremely serious” and condemned the online calls to violence as “completely idiotic and criminal.”
Metz Among the Hardest Hit
The city of Metz in northeastern France reported one of the highest concentrations of victims. Police there arrested two men after 17 girls aged 14 to 20 reported being injected during public gatherings. Metz Mayor François Grosdidier expressed concern and confirmed that similar incidents had been reported nationwide, intensifying pressure on law enforcement and government officials to act swiftly.
A Disturbing Pattern
This is not the first time France has witnessed a surge in syringe-related assaults. In recent years, reports of similar attacks in nightclubs and concerts have surfaced, often with little to no explanation or clear motive. Many victims are left with puncture wounds, dizziness, nausea, or memory loss, yet toxicology results often come back inconclusive.
Nationwide Investigation Underway
Police forces across the country are now coordinating to identify potential networks or copycat attackers, and forensic teams are analyzing the collected syringes and medical reports for traces of substances.
The public outcry is growing, with rights groups and women’s safety organizations demanding stricter security, better festival oversight, and swift judicial action against those responsible.
As France reels from the shocking events, many are calling this year’s Fête de la Musique not just a celebration of sound, but a wake-up call for public safety and women’s protection in mass gatherings.
