Illegal party at French military site draws up to 40,000 ravers
France 24 • • world
Key Points:
- An unauthorized "free party" rave with techno music attracted between 35,000 and 40,000 attendees at a former firing range near Bourges, central France, despite safety concerns about unexploded World War II ordnance on the site.
- Bomb disposal experts intervened after discovering an old shell near the party area, highlighting the ongoing risk due to the site's 150-year history as a military range.
- The French government is seeking to tighten laws against unauthorized rave parties, proposing prison sentences for organizers and fines for attendees, but authorities have focused on ensuring safety during the event.
- Emergency services treated 12 people with minor injuries, including one struck by a vehicle and others injured by sharp shrapnel, while local residents reported positive interactions with the mostly peaceful crowd.
- Attendees view the large gathering as both a chance to unwind and a protest against new anti-rave legislation, emphasizing their intent to continue challenging government restrictions on free parties.
 { path { fill: %23EEEFE9 } })