Since the recording of the program La Chanson de l’année, 16 complaints have been filed by people present declaring that they have been pricked by syringes.
The evening would have turned into a tragedy. Whereas the show The Song of the Year was recorded on June 2 and 3 on the beaches of Mourillon in Toulon, in the Var, the concert did not go as planned. Already during the day, on social networks, rumors were circulating alluding to “challenges” to sting spectators. On Twitter, in particular, some therefore called for the greatest vigilance. And if it was only a matter of hearsay, complaints have actually been lodged.
The official account of the city of Toulon wanted to come backon this incident. “16 people are said to have filed a complaint following bites they allegedly suffered during the concert on Friday evening, of which 10 are still, at present, only suspicions of bites not formally established”, assures the press release. If the metropolis denies any desire to minimize the facts, it recalls that it has, for the moment, “no knowledge of a harmful substance being administered to anyone”. Two suspects have been taken into custody after being apprehended on the spot and syringes were found. As for the discomfort, widely documented on social networks, which occurred during the concert, the town hall evokes “sunstroke and dehydration as in all outdoor concerts in the summer”.
Bites, a worrying phenomenon
For several months, many facts of bites, most of the time on young women, have been reported following certain events. Most often, the incidents took place during parties, concerts or events bringing together a large number of people. Far from being a national phenomenon, several other countries, notably the United Kingdom and Belgium, have also reported an increase in this type of incident. Some bars in France and across the Channel have also implemented procedures to alert and help potential victims.