The party ended badly. Fourteen participants at an illegal rave party south of Rennes were slightly injured after an intervention by local residents who wanted the music to stop led to violence, firefighters learned on Sunday.
Around 3,000 people attended a rave party in a 9,000 m² abandoned warehouse in Brie (Ille-et-Vilaine), not far from the Rennes-Angers highway. The participants “were installed next to a travellers’ camp”, Julien Valdenaire, captain and commander of the rescue operations, explained to AFP.
“First altercations and things escalated”
From 8pm on Saturday evening “there were the first clashes and the situation degenerated, with many injured. The gendarmes intervened to prevent this from causing numerous victims,” added the captain. Several complaints were presented by residents of the area. No arrests took place.
The commander cited “projectile throwing” and “stones” as well as “baseball bats”, specifying that the injuries caused were wounds and a fracture. An advanced medical station has been set up near the accident site to assist the injured. Eight people were taken to hospital. Up to 120 firefighters and 80 police officers were mobilized. The prefecture of Ille-et-Vilaine issued an ordinance on October 29 banning “festive gatherings of a musical nature” in the department from Thursday October 31 to Monday November 4, 2024.
Calm had returned around 6am, according to gendarmes and an AFP journalist at the scene. Organizers stopped the music around 1 a.m., ending the rave. Around 10, the last revelers were preparing to leave, second France Bleu Armoriquechecked by the police before getting back on the road.
“They stoned us”
Thomas, 22, was sleeping in his tent set up in the car park in front of the hangar when he was woken up in the middle of the night. “They stoned us to get us out of the hangar, there was a projectile, like a Molotov cocktail, that passed over my head,” he told AFP.
The rave organizers then took to the microphone to stop the music, explains Malou, 22. “They blocked the hangar to confine us inside. Those who were outside were stoned.” According to Pierre, 25, “the gypsies had warned the organizers in advance, telling them: If you’re still here Saturday night, we’ll break it ».
According to a man who identifies himself as a member of the Travelers and lives near the hangar, “about ten” people from his community intervened during the night “to protect our children”. “We found a syringe in our garden, it’s not just because of the music,” he told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The prefect of Ille-et-Vilaine, Amaury de Saint-Quentin, “condemned” the organizers of this rave party. “With their carelessness and irresponsibility, the organizers endangered the participants, residents, motorists and the police and emergency forces, both on site and on the traffic routes”, deplores the prefect.
Interview between Time.news Editor and an Expert on Rave Parties
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to the Time.news interview series. Today, we have an expert on public safety and event management, Dr. Claire Valois. We’re discussing an unfortunate incident that occurred during an illegal rave party near Rennes. Dr. Valois, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Claire Valois (CV): Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
TNE: To set the scene for our audience, can you give us a brief overview of what transpired at the rave party in Brie?
CV: Certainly. The event drew about 3,000 attendees to a massive, abandoned warehouse, which is quite concerning given the lack of permits and safety measures. Local residents, disturbed by the loud music, intervened, which escalated into violence. Unfortunately, this resulted in 14 slight injuries among the partygoers.
TNE: It sounds quite chaotic. What specific factors do you think contributed to the escalation of violence?
CV: There are multiple factors at play here. First, the sheer number of attendees in an unauthorized setting can create a sense of lawlessness. In addition, the presence of alcohol and other substances often found at raves can impair judgment and lead to aggressive behaviors. According to reports, there were projectile throwings and fights, which indicates that the situation quickly spiraled out of control.
TNE: Julien Valdenaire, the commander of the rescue operations, mentioned that the first altercations began around 8 p.m. What can be done to prevent such situations in the future?
CV: Effective communication and conflict resolution strategies are crucial. Residents near such events should have a direct line of communication with local authorities before they escalate. In addition, organizers should be encouraged to work with local law enforcement to ensure crowd control and safety measures are in place, even for underground events.
TNE: The authorities responded by mobilizing up to 120 firefighters and 80 police officers. How do you assess their reaction?
CV: The response was necessary given the violence that erupted. However, it indicates a significant challenge for emergency services dealing with such unregulated gatherings. It raises questions about preparedness and the allocation of resources. Ideally, these types of events should be managed in a way that minimizes the need for heavy police presence.
TNE: Following this incident, the prefecture of Ille-et-Vilaine issued a ban on festive musical gatherings. Is this an effective long-term solution?
CV: While the ban might provide a temporary solution to immediate disturbances, it doesn’t address the underlying issues. Instead of outright bans, a better approach would be to create regulated spaces for such gatherings that prioritize safety and community engagement. This way, people can still enjoy music and festivities without fear of violence or injury.
TNE: It’s interesting how such gatherings can cause a ripple effect within local communities. How can community dynamics play a role in these scenarios?
CV: Absolutely. Community dynamics are vital. When residents feel their concerns are being ignored, it can lead to hostility. Building a relationship between event organizers and community members is essential for ensuring that all voices are heard, and concerns are addressed collaboratively.
TNE: Lastly, what advice would you give to party organizers to ensure that their events are safe and enjoyable?
CV: They should prioritize safety by conducting risk assessments, ensuring adequate medical support, and providing clear communication with local authorities. They should also promote respect for the surrounding community to create a more harmonious environment. Ultimately, it’s about fostering enjoyment while considering public safety.
TNE: Dr. Valois, thank you for sharing your insights and expertise on such an important topic. It’s crucial to learn from incidents like this to prevent future occurrences.
CV: Thank you for having me. It’s important we continue this conversation for the safety of all involved.
TNE: This has been an insightful discussion. We hope to keep exploring these pressing issues in our future editions. Thank you for tuning in!