around 7,000 revelers on site

The illegal festive gathering has been held since May 8 on private agricultural land lost in the middle of the vineyards, on the edge of a small wood, in Parnay (Maine-et-Loire).

Some 7,000 people gathered on Friday May 10 for an undeclared rave party in Parnay, in the south-east of Maine-et-Loire, which began during the night from Wednesday to Thursday, we learned from the prefecture.

“It is complicated to give a precise attendance due to the absence of an organizer (…) However, based on aerial and ground reconnaissance, the number of participants is estimated at several thousand,” explained the prefecture of Maine-et-Loire, quantifying the total at “not yet 10 000, probably around 7,000 people” Friday at midday.

The gathering is being held on private agricultural land lost in the middle of the vineyards, on the edge of a small wood, noted an AFP journalist. Hundreds of vehicles were parked on Friday near the site where huge walls of sound vibrated relentlessly to the rhythm of electronic music.

Revelers came from all over France to take part in this event, which is due to last until Sunday and which took neighboring towns and the authorities by surprise. “Given the absence of declaration and preparation of the event with local actors, participants from all over France run risks to their security”insisted the prefecture in a press release.

The prefecture on alert

According to her, the organizers of the free party have, for example, not provided sanitary facilities and the site has no access to drinking water. Friday afternoon, technicians installed a temporary water point along the asphalt road which serves the site, noted the AFP journalist. Since Thursday morning, the police, firefighters and civil security have been mobilized and are regularly on site to ensure the safety of the participants. At 2 p.m., more than 30 people had been treated by emergency services, according to a report from the prefecture.

“We can be pleased that there have been no casualties so far. The device is well calibrated, even if it had to be installed urgently”reacted to AFP the chief of staff of the prefect, Nathalie Gimonet. “However, we remain very vigilant“because of the risks presented by such a concentration of people on isolated land lacking infrastructure, she stressed.

If drinking water was not provided, on Friday there were numerous food outlets on the site, and even a tattoo stand. The prefect of Maine-et-Loire issued an order on Tuesday prohibiting festive gatherings, just like those in neighboring departments who were expecting this type of gathering on this long Ascension Bridge weekend.