Syringe Attacks at French Music Festival Lead to 14 Arrests, 145 Reported Victims

Paris, France – French police have arrested 14 individuals following reports from 145 people who claim to have been pricked, possibly by syringes, at a nationwide music festival held on Saturday. The incidents have sparked a police investigation into what authorities describe as a troubling phenomenon, with some victims as young as 14 years old. According to ABC News reporter Tom Soufi Burridge, who covered the developing story, social media posts prior to the annual Fête de la Musique event across France may have encouraged these syringe attacks. This has reportedly created an atmosphere of fear and concern among festival-goers. Victims reported experiencing a range of symptoms including hot flashes, dizziness, loss of consciousness, and visible marks or bruises on their skin, typically on their arms or backs. While many were treated at the scene by first responders, others sought hospital care to provide samples for analysis, aiming to confirm whether they were indeed injected with any substance. Police have not yet indicated if any of the victims were actually injected with a foreign substance. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to understand the full scope and nature of these attacks.