Chilling Social Media Threats Targeting Women Spread Before Festival — Then 145 Syringe Attacks Were Reported

As France celebrated an annual street music festival, nearly 150 people were reportedly attacked with syringes across the country.

A dozen suspects were arrested in connection with the syringe prickings, according to reports from Le Monde and The New York Times, citing French officials.

The attacks occurred during Fete de la Musique, which drew in millions of people from around the country.

Le Monde reported that posts on Snapchat and other social media platforms called for attacks on women prior to the festival.

Citing the French Interior Ministry, Le Monde reported that 145 people across France reported being pricked. The outlet also reported that there were 13 cases in Paris alone.

Le Républicain Lorrain reported that in Metz, 17 girls and young women reported being attacked by syringes. Two men were arrested in the city.

The women were taken to the hospital for testing.

However, in Cambrai, a girl who had reported being pricked with a syringe actually had only been scratched in a crowd, La Voix du Nord reported.

According to Le Monde, citing a source, the 12 people arrested are believed to have targeted 50 women.

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Since 1982, Fete de la Musique has occurred every year on June 21 and is intended to encourage people to play music in the streets.

Authorities in Paris reported “unprecedented crowds,” per Le Monde. The paper reported that the investigation began when three people in Paris reported feeling unwell and said they had been pricked by a syringe.

The paper further reported that officials did not specify if the needles had been spiked by date-rape drugs like Rohypnol or GHB.