Nearly 150 people report needle stabbings during music festival

Nearly 150 people reported being pricked with needles across France over the weekend, during its nationwide music festival Fête de la Musique. 

The French Interior Ministry said 13 cases were recorded in Paris, and, so far, French police have arrested at least 12 people in connection with the attacks. Investigations are ongoing.

It wasn’t immediately clear if victims were injected with anything, like in the spate of needle spiking across Europe a few years ago.

In June 2022, the French government said reports of syringe attacks were growing at nightclubs, bars and festivals, with more than 1,000 identified victims, according to national police. At the time, victims were urged to:

• Report incidents as soon as possible

• Seek immediate medical attention

• Act quickly to enable evidence collection and prevent possible infection 

Prior to Saturday’s festival, self-described feminist @abregesoeur and others warned on TikTok that men may try to prick women with syringes during the festival. They also shared safety tips.