More Than a Dozen Young Women Hospitalized Following Syringe Attack at Popular Music Festival

More than a dozen young women were hospitalized following a syringe attack at a popular music festival.

On Saturday, June 21, a call was made to police at around 9:15 p.m. local time during the French music event Fêtes de la Musique about “syringe attacks,” Metz Mayor François Grosdidier said in a social media post.

When authorities responded to Rue du Palais in La Rochelle, France, Grosdidier said multiple women between the ages of 14 and 20 were found to be victims of the attack.

A male suspect was later arrested after being reported to the Criminal Unit for the Prevention of Drugs and Drug Abuse, the mayor added. Police were able to locate and identify the alleged perpetrator through video footage. They then handed him over to the National Police and the Justice Department. 

“I hope that the investigation, particularly through the examination of his cell phone, will lead to the identification of other attackers,” Grosdidier wrote in his social media post.

According to the French outlet Le Républicain Lorrain, syringe attacks also took place at the Place de la République and Place Saint-Jacques.

Grosdidier said in his social media post that “firefighters intervened promptly to each attack in large numbers” and “created a gathering point for the victims at Place d’Armes.”

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Le Républicain Lorrain reported that the victims were taken to a local hospital for care after the incident.

Per the outlet, the man arrested was identified by one of the women. Le Républicain Lorrain added that it is currently unclear if the suspect acted alone. No syringes were found on his person, and the items used in the attacks have yet to be identified.

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Elsewhere during the music event, Mayor Grosdidier said a second individual was arrested for “slapping a young girl.”

Authorities, the politician added, “brought a few brawls under control during the night” and “also intervened to save a dog in crisis.” He said the animal was “locked in a car.”

The French National Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Sunday, June 22.