Home / Crime and Justice / 40,000 Partygoers Defy Bomb Threat at French Rave
40,000 Partygoers Defy Bomb Threat at French Rave
3 May
Summary
- Up to 40,000 attended an illegal rave at a French military site.
- The site contained unexploded WWII ordnance posing serious risks.
- Bomb disposal experts intervened after a shell was found near the party.
An estimated 40,000 attendees converged on an illegal rave at a military firing range near Bourges, France, beginning Friday and continuing through Saturday. Authorities had previously warned of significant risks due to potential unexploded ordnance from World War II present on the vast 10,000-hectare site.
Concerns escalated when bomb disposal experts were deployed after a shell was found near a road within the party area. While organizers urged caution, the event proceeded, with attendees viewing it as a protest against proposed legislation to tighten controls on rave parties, including potential prison sentences for organizers.
Emergency services treated 12 individuals for minor injuries, including one struck by a vehicle and others who cut themselves. The gathering, characterized by techno music and a festive atmosphere, saw local residents interacting peacefully with the partygoers, despite the inherent dangers.
