Fact Check: "Paris police reported 13 cases of needle pricking during the festival."
What We Know
During the annual Fête de la Musique festival in France, which took place on June 21, 2025, French officials reported that a total of 145 individuals across the country claimed to have been pricked with syringes. Specifically, the Paris police confirmed that 13 of these cases occurred in the capital city (New York Times, CBS News, France 24). The French interior ministry stated that some victims were taken to hospitals for toxicological tests, and 12 suspects were arrested in connection with these incidents (CNN, The Guardian).
Analysis
The claim that "Paris police reported 13 cases of needle pricking during the festival" is supported by multiple reputable sources, including major news outlets such as the New York Times and CNN. These reports provide consistent information regarding the number of reported cases in Paris and the overall context of the festival, which attracted millions of attendees.
The credibility of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards. However, it is important to note that while the reports confirm the number of cases, they also highlight the uncertainty surrounding the nature of the incidents. For instance, some experts, like Dr. Adam R. Winstock, have suggested that needle spiking is a "remarkably rare event" and that many reports may stem from panic rather than confirmed incidents of drugging (New York Times).
Furthermore, the social media context leading up to the festival included warnings about potential attacks targeting women, which may have influenced public perception and reporting of these incidents (Business Standard).
Conclusion
The claim that "Paris police reported 13 cases of needle pricking during the festival" is True. The number of reported cases is corroborated by multiple reliable sources, and the context of the incidents has been thoroughly documented. While there are concerns about the nature of these reports and the potential for panic, the specific figure of 13 cases in Paris is confirmed by official statements from law enforcement.
Sources
- Nearly 150 Report Being Jabbed With Needles at French Music Festival (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/world/europe/france-syringe-attacks-music-festival.html)
- 145 people at France music festival report being pricked with syringes ... (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/france-music-festival-syringe-pricking-online-calls-target-women/)
- 145 people pricked with syringes at France street music festival (https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/23/europe/france-festival-syringe-attacks-intl-scli)
- Syringe attacks mar France's Fête de la Musique summer street festival (https://www.france24.com/en/france/20250622-syringe-attacks-mar-france-s-f%C3%AAte-de-la-musique-summer-street-festival)
- Arrests in France after scores report being attacked with ... (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/23/france-syringe-attacks-street-music-festival-fete-de-la-musique)
- Over 140 pricked with needles at France's World ... - Business Standard (https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/needle-attacks-france-world-music-day-2025-paris-investigations-125062301139_1.html)
