Dozens of Girls Hospitalized After Chilling Syringe Attack at Music Festival

A beloved French music festival descended into chaos over the weekend when more than a dozen young women, some as young as 14, were rushed to the hospital after reportedly being attacked with syringes in the middle of massive street celebrations.

The shocking incident took place during the annual Fête de la Musique on June 21—an event famous for drawing thousands of partygoers into the streets of cities like Paris, Metz, and La Rochelle to celebrate the summer solstice with live music and dancing. But what started as a night of revelry quickly turned into a nightmare.

According to police and local officials, a flurry of emergency calls began pouring in around 9:15 p.m. as terrified festivalgoers in La Rochelle reported being pricked by syringes wielded by an unknown assailant. Witnesses described a scene of panic, with groups of young women huddled together in tears, many unsure if they had been poisoned or drugged.

“It was absolute mayhem,” said festival attendee Léa Dupont, 19, who witnessed one of the attacks. “Suddenly people started screaming, and girls were running toward the first-aid tents, saying they felt something sharp in their backs or arms. Everyone was scared of what could be in those needles.”

First responders raced to the scene, setting up a makeshift triage point at Place d’Armes to treat the growing number of victims. Officials later confirmed that at least 13 girls, aged 14 to 20, were hospitalized for further tests and monitoring.

Metz Mayor François Grosdidier called the situation “unprecedented and horrifying.” In a statement, he added, “Our priority was to get every victim medical attention as fast as possible. This type of attack strikes at the heart of our city’s sense of safety and community.”

In a dramatic turn, police quickly arrested a male suspect, reportedly identified thanks to sharp-eyed festivalgoers and surveillance footage. The man, whose name has not been released, was handed over to national authorities for interrogation. Authorities are combing through his phone records, hoping to discover if others were involved.

“I want answers,” said Chantal Moreau, whose 16-year-old daughter was among the victims. “How can this happen at a family event? What if those needles were laced with drugs or something worse?”

The horror didn’t stop there. Officials say another individual was arrested for slapping a teenage girl amid the chaos. Police and firefighters were kept busy all night, responding not only to the attacks but also breaking up fights and even rescuing a dog found locked in a sweltering car.

Syringe attacks have become an unsettling trend at European festivals in recent years, with sporadic reports surfacing from Spain to the UK. French officials are demanding tougher security and a nationwide crackdown.

As of Sunday, the motive remains unclear. Authorities have not found any syringes on the arrested suspect, and the exact substances used—if any—are still being analyzed. But for many in France, the sense of unease will linger long after the music has faded.

“I want my daughter to feel safe when she goes out to celebrate,” said Moreau. “Now, I’m not so sure she ever will.”

The French National Police have yet to release further details.