More than 20,000 people gathered this Saturday (2) for an illegal rave party, called “Bourges Teknival” on social media, in a military area in France, ignoring warnings about the risk of possible explosions from old ammunition, according to the AFP agency.
The event takes place at a time when the French parliament seeks to tighten legislation against unauthorized parties. The proposal being analyzed in the Senate foresees up to six months in prison and a fine of 30 thousand euros for those involved in the organization.
The authorities’ main concern is the presence of unexploded ordnance. “We need to be prepared for the worst, which would be the explosion of a World War II artifact,” said the mayor of the Cher department, Philippe Le Moing Surzur.
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He further stated that not even the French General Armaments Directorate, which owns the land, had precise knowledge of the risks.
Under normal conditions, even farmers need authorization from the Army to access nearby areas. Still, hundreds of participants cross the site on foot, under the limited supervision of military personnel.
Authorities advised that no one should approach wooded areas, considered to be at greater risk. However, without basic infrastructure, such as bathrooms, many visitors end up going to these places.
The mayor of Cornusse also expressed concern about the increase in attendance. According to her, participants who arrived on Friday indicated that Saturday would be the highlight of the event, which could attract even more people throughout the day.
