Paris: What should have been a jubilant celebration of music and community turned into a night of fear and chaos in France, as more than 145 people mostly women and teenage girls reported being pricked by syringes during the country’s beloved Fête de la Musique on June 21. The attacks, which spanned multiple cities, have sent shockwaves through the nation and sparked urgent public safety and criminal investigations.
The incidents were not isolated. Authorities confirmed that syringe attacks occurred in at least six major cities, including Paris, Angoulême, Metz, Tours, Rouen, and Évreux. In Angoulême alone, roughly 50 people reported being targeted. Four suspects were arrested in connection with those attacks. In Metz, two men were detained one of whom was reportedly caught carrying a syringe. Victims ranged from concertgoers to young festival attendees who had no prior interaction with their attackers.
Adding to public anxiety, French media reported that viral social media posts had encouraged men to carry out syringe attacks against women during the festival. One particularly disturbing message, posted by an account claiming to represent a fringe “anti-women” ideology, was flagged for inciting violence. Police described such online messages as “idiotic and dangerous” but confirmed they were investigating any links between digital threats and the real-world assaults.
Health officials said many victims were hospitalized as a precaution, with toxicology tests ordered to determine whether the syringes contained any sedatives or date-rape drugs such as GHB or Rohypnol. As of now, no chemical substances have been conclusively identified in the majority of cases. Nevertheless, multiple victims described symptoms of dizziness, nausea, and emotional distress, prompting fears of intentional drugging.
The attacks bore disturbing similarities to a string of nightclub syringe incidents reported in 2022 across French cities. Back then, too, many victims mostly young women had experienced unexplainable pricks while in crowded spaces. The resurgence of this pattern during a nationwide, high-profile festival has renewed calls for tighter security and more visible police presence at public events.
National law enforcement officials confirmed that at least 12 arrests were made in connection with the incidents, while a total of 370 people were detained across the country during the festival weekend for various unrelated disturbances. In Paris alone, nearly 90 individuals were taken into custody.
In the wake of the attacks, French authorities have urged citizens to stay vigilant and report any suspicious behavior. Public health agencies have also issued guidance on how to respond if one suspects being pricked emphasizing the need for immediate medical attention, blood tests, and monitoring for possible infections or drug exposure.
As investigations continue, questions loom about how such coordinated attacks could have occurred in multiple cities on the same night, and what role, if any, online incitement played in the events. Law enforcement agencies are reviewing CCTV footage, digital communications, and eyewitness accounts to track down perpetrators and uncover motives.
This incident has not only rattled public trust but also cast a shadow over the safety of mass gatherings in France. With the country preparing for more summer festivals and sporting events, officials are now under pressure to review crowd control measures, enhance festival security, and ensure rapid medical response systems are in place.
The Fête de la Musique, usually a night of carefree celebration and artistic expression, has now become a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist even in moments of joy. As one young victim told French media, “I came to dance and celebrate, but I left with fear and tears. I don’t know if I’ll ever feel safe in a crowd again.”