A surge of unexplained syringe assaults during France’s nationally celebrated Fête de la Musique has triggered public safety concerns and prompted police to detain 12 individuals across multiple cities. The attacks, which occurred on Saturday evening during one of France’s largest public festivals, were confirmed by the interior ministry on Sunday following 145 official reports of victims being pricked with needles. Millions had gathered across the country, especially in Paris, where authorities reported “unprecedented crowds.” The violent incidents have raised serious concerns about security at public events and their economic ramifications for France’s summer festival calendar. Though the motive remains unclear, disturbing calls on social media had reportedly urged attackers to target women during the celebrations. Among those affected were a 15-year-old girl and an 18-year-old male in Paris. All three victims in the capital who came forward complained of feeling unwell, prompting toxicological tests to determine whether substances like Rohypnol or GHB—commonly used in date-rape crimes—had been administered. “Some victims were taken to hospital for toxicological tests,” said the Ministry of the Interior, though they have yet to confirm whether chemical substances were found. Of the twelve suspects arrested, four individuals from the southwestern city of Angoulême are accused of targeting up to 50 victims, according to police sources. The French government has not yet classified these incidents as “needle spiking,” but public health and legal experts have warned that if confirmed, such attacks could reshape security and liability measures at mass public events. Beyond these specific assaults, law enforcement made more than 370 arrests during the festival weekend for various offences, including nearly 90 in Paris alone. Fourteen people were seriously injured during the event, including a 17-year-old who was hospitalised after being discovered with stab wounds to the lower abdomen. Thirteen police officers also sustained injuries while attempting to maintain order during the chaos. Despite the unrest, Paris police prefect Laurent Nuñez stated that “no major incident has been reported,” a remark that has drawn criticism from public safety advocates and victim groups alike, who argue that the needle attacks point to severe lapses in preventive policing. The French government and the Paris municipality are now under pressure to re-evaluate crowd security and health surveillance measures ahead of other high-density public events this summer, particularly the Paris Olympics in 2026. Businesses, particularly in hospitality, nightlife, and public event management, may also face heightened compliance expectations and insurance scrutiny in the wake of such incidents. As investigations continue, industry observers warn that such public safety fears could dampen consumer turnout and impact the viability of cultural festivals, which contribute significantly to France’s tourism and entertainment sectors.