Syringe Attacks Mar France’s Fête de la Musique: A Disturbing Trend Resurfaces

What was meant to be a nationwide celebration of music and community turned into a night of fear and confusion for many in France. During the annual Fête de la Musique on June 21, 2025, authorities received over 145 reports of individuals — primarily young women — being pricked with syringes while attending open-air concerts and street performances.

Witnesses and victims described feeling a sudden sting followed by sensations of dizziness, nausea, or anxiety. Many sought immediate medical help, worried about the risks of infection or exposure to unknown substances. The attacks were reported in several major cities, including Paris, Metz, Tours, Évreux, and Rouen.

CRS units patrol Fête de la Musique 2025 in Rennes, following dozens of reports of needle spiking incidents nationwide.

Law enforcement has confirmed that 12 suspects have been arrested so far in connection with the incidents. Troublingly, the attacks appeared to follow a wave of threatening posts circulating on social media in the days leading up to the event — some explicitly encouraging men to carry out syringe assaults targeting women.

While toxicology results are pending, past incidents of this nature have often yielded inconclusive findings, with no clear substances detected. Nonetheless, the psychological impact is undeniable. The randomness, anonymity, and potential health risks associated with syringe attacks leave victims and the broader public deeply shaken.

This wave of assaults adds to a pattern seen across European nightlife over the last few years, where needle spiking — whether with intent to drug or simply to terrorize — has emerged as a modern form of public harassment. Unlike traditional forms of physical assault, syringe attacks weaponize fear of the unknown: invisible threats, delayed consequences, and profound violations of bodily autonomy.

Needle spiking is a growing concern across European nightlife, raising fears around safety and consent.

French authorities are continuing their investigation, and public health agencies have urged anyone affected to undergo thorough medical testing and report incidents promptly. Meanwhile, the Fête de la Musique, a symbol of joy and cultural unity since 1982, now faces questions about whether safety measures are keeping pace with the changing nature of public threats.