Tens of thousands at illegal techno festival in France Silvio Berlusconi released from hospital after more than a month

An illegal techno festival over a long weekend in central France with tens of thousands of participants poses a challenge to authorities. Since the start of the festival on Thursday (Ascension Day), 86 music fans have already received medical care, civil protection, the Red Cross, volunteers and 240 police officers are on duty, the Indre department reported on Friday.

About 30,000 people were already celebrating on the grounds of the “Teknival” in the small town of Villegongis, and up to 40,000 were expected this weekend, according to broadcaster France Info. Other estimates ran as high as 60,000.

The location of the 30th edition of the “Teknival”, which is known throughout Europe, was not reported to the authorities in advance. Despite a ban on impromptu music festivals, the authorities decided to remain concerned about the safety of the participants and not to evacuate the site.

Almost overnight, the organizers set about setting up the festival on an unused pasture.

“We will not send them away, there are too many,” the farmer who owns the site told BFMTV. He only wishes that the partygoers do not leave behind empty beer cans and other rubbish.

Doctors and helpers were sent to the festival site from Rennes University Hospital to be present in case of emergency. As the head of the clinic’s emergency department told France Info, the main focus is on emergencies related to alcohol and drugs.

Despite the leniency of the authorities, an investigation into the organizers of the festival is ongoing. (sda/dpa)