[ad_1]
LIEURON, France: Approximately 2,500 partygoers attended an illegal New Year’s Eve rave in northwestern France, clashing violently with police who were unable to stop it and sparking concerns that the clandestine event could spread the coronavirus, authorities said. on Friday (January 1).
Revelers had organized the illegal rave in Lieuron south of Rennes in Brittany after skirmishes with police, a statement from the local prefecture said. Many were still at the site Friday when a sanitary cordon was placed around them.
Local gendarmes tried “to prevent this event, but faced fierce hostility from many partygoers” who set one of their cars on fire and threw bottles and stones, he said.
Those present had come from all over France and even abroad, he said.
Such mass gatherings are strictly prohibited in France in the middle of a 8:00 p.m. curfew across the country to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Photo: AFP / Jean-Francois Monier)
READ: COVID-19 – France imposes an earlier curfew on 15 departments starting Saturday
Such mass gatherings are strictly prohibited in France to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and a curfew is applied at 8pm across the country, which was not lifted for the New Year.
Reports said that the rave party took place in an empty warehouse that belongs to a storage company.
Prosecutors have opened an investigation into the illegal organization of a musical gathering and premeditated violence against the authorities.
Registered vehicles from across France were still parked at the site on Friday and many revelers were present as techno music played loudly, an AFP journalist said.
Participants interviewed by AFP said the revelers included partygoers from foreign countries, including Spain and Great Britain. (Photo: AFP / Jean-Francois Monier)
SMALL SOCIAL DISTANCE
Participants interviewed by AFP said that the revelers included partygoers from foreign countries, including Spain and Great Britain.
One participant, who gave his name as Jo from the Alsace region of eastern France and declined to be named, said they had all gathered at a meeting point Thursday night in the parking lot of a shopping center.
The convoy then headed to Lieuron, where police tried to prevent them from passing, he said.
He acknowledged that “very few had respected social distancing” at the event, which was supposed to end later on Saturday.
People wait after an illegal New Year’s Eve party in Rennes, France, which the police tried to break up. (Photo: AFP / Jean-Francois Monier)
READ: Under fire, France promises faster launch of COVID-19 vaccine
French authorities have been particularly concerned about the massive raves during the pandemic, but New Year’s Eve was a particular concern.
In the southern city of Marseille, security forces detained an illegal party bringing together about 300 people, police said. More than 150 people were warned and the three suspected organizers were arrested.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said 132,000 police officers had been deployed to France for the New Year celebrations to ensure security and that the curfew was respected.
CHECK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
