145 folks stabbed with syringes at France music competition, 12 arrested – Nationwide

French police have arrested 12 suspects after 145 folks reported being stabbed with syringes at a music competition in France on Saturday, resulting in the hospitalization of greater than a dozen younger ladies.

Metz Mayor François Grosdidier stated a name was made to police round 9:15 p.m. native time about “syringe assaults” throughout the French music competition Fête de la Musique, the place thousands and thousands of individuals took to the streets throughout France.

Grosdidier stated that when authorities responded to Rue du Palais in La Rochelle, a number of women and girls between the ages of 14 and 20 have been discovered to be victims of the syringe assaults.

He stated the victims have been transported to a neighborhood hospital for additional care after they have been handled by emergency responders on the scene. The doubtless injected substance, which has not been disclosed, stays below investigation because the Inside Ministry waits for the toxicological take a look at outcomes.

“I hope that the investigation, significantly by way of the examination of his cellphone, will result in the identification of different attackers,” Grosdidier added.

The 12 suspects have been arrested throughout France, based on the Inside Ministry. 4 folks within the metropolis of Angouleme have been reportedly suspected of getting focused round 50 victims.

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Police stated there have been greater than 370 folks detained throughout the competition on varied fees.

Earlier than the free music competition started, French feminist influencer Abrège Soeur warned the general public on-line that there had been calls on social media for girls to be focused with syringes throughout the festivities. (Soeur didn’t make clear how she got here throughout this data, or the place she noticed it on-line.)

She recommended an alert code be used “to guard ladies” and warned others to make use of the code in the event that they noticed anybody in peril.

The proposed code, for anyone who gave the impression to be in peril, was to be requested in the event that they purchased their shirt on the clothes retailer H&M. In the event that they responded with a special model, that meant they weren’t in peril. She additionally recommended that if somebody was in peril, so as to add “H&M, proper?” to assist determine that they wanted assist.

An analogous incident came about in June 2022, when a number of suspects round France have been detained or given preliminary fees for allegedly pricking folks with a needle in nightclubs or at concert events following a surge in needle assaults that seeded panic amongst younger clubgoers.

On the time, the French Inside Ministry, prosecutors, the nationwide anti-drug company, public well being authorities and medical doctors had not decided a motive for the assaults, or whether or not the victims have been injected with medication, viruses or any substance in any respect.

From January to June 2022, 1,004 folks filed formal complaints with French authorities concerning the needle pricks, based on the Inside Ministry.

In these instances that resulted in fees, medical checks didn’t reveal any indicators of dangerous substances, together with so-called date rape drug GHB, authorities stated. The suspects have denied all allegations.

On the time, the focused people, who have been principally ladies, had seen marks of injection, usually bruises, and reported signs like feeling groggy. The ministry official urged warning in assuming a hyperlink between the needle pricks and GHB.

The investigation into the Fête de la Musique stabbings is ongoing.

— With recordsdata from The Related Press

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