Needle Spiking Horror: Young Women Targeted During French Street Festival

It was around 1:30 a.m. in the quiet aftermath of the Fête de la Musique in Bordeaux when 22-year-old Manon felt a sharp prick in her arm.

“Someone tapped my forearm. I started feeling numb, like after a vaccine. About 30 minutes later, the injection mark appeared,” she told CNN.

Manon, unsure of what she’d been injected with—or by whom—tried to stay calm. But she wasn’t alone. She was one of nearly 150 reported victims of syringe attacks during France’s nationwide street music festival, a beloved annual event that draws millions into the streets.

According to the French Interior Ministry, it's still unclear whether any drugs like Rohypnol or GHB were used. What is clear is that a wave of coordinated "needle spiking" incidents occurred across the country, involving multiple unidentified perpetrators.

Before the festivities began, feminist influencer Abrège Soeur had raised the alarm: disturbing posts on social media hinted at planned syringe attacks targeting women during the event.

Manon, after spending three hours in the emergency room between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. on Sunday, posted a TikTok video to share her ordeal.

“I felt it was important to raise awareness,” she said. “No one else seemed to be talking about being injected. People need to know how it happens, what the symptoms are. Talking about it made me feel less alone.”

She later filed a police report. “If we all rely on others to speak up, nothing changes. I hoped that by reporting it, I could make a difference.”

French police have detained 14 men so far—aged between 19 and 44, both citizens and foreigners—but no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been officially charged in connection with the attacks.

“The attacks are confirmed, though we haven’t identified any perpetrators,” Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin told CNN affiliate BFMTV. He added that authorities are also targeting those who incited the attacks online.

“We're pursuing a criminal policy to track and prosecute those encouraging these vile syringe assaults against women,” Darmanin said.

Sœur emphasized that the attacks go beyond physical harm: “Their goal isn’t just to drug women—it’s to instill fear. The rumors spread, people talk about it in group chats, and it grows. We have to push back and make women feel safe again.”

Manon now faces an anxious three-week wait for her toxicology results. Sleep has been elusive, but her resolve is unwavering.

“The Fête de la Musique is about joy, music, dancing, and freedom. Someone tried to destroy that spirit—but I won’t let them win,” she said. “I refuse to be sad or scared. They don’t get to take that from me.”