American Marconi Wireless News - Illegal rave draws 20,000 to 'dangerous' military site in France

The rave near the town of Bourges in central France kicked off on Friday and organisers expect as many as 30,000 people from France and neighbouring countries to arrive at the peak of the event this weekend.

"Despite its illegal nature, the government has mobilised to ensure the safety of this event and limit any disturbances, particularly for nearby residents," the prefecture said in a statement.

Speaking to AFP, Philippe Le Moing Surzur, the top regional official, said the site was "extremely dangerous due to the unexploded ordnance it may contain."

While modern shells posed no threat, he warned of the risk from older unexploded ordnance and urged revellers to avoid the nearby woods.

"This is a site that has been in use for 150 years, and we know there are potentially old artillery shells there," he said, adding that bomb disposal experts discover them regularly.

Revellers see the giant party not only as a chance to unwind, but also as a protest against tighter legislation targeting illegal techno gatherings.

"I had heard there were going to be a lot of people, but once you’re there, it's still a shock to see so many people gathered in one place," a 22-year-old man told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Another partygoer, 19, said the turnout was "a strong message against repression."

Around 600 police and 45 firefighters have been deployed at the site.

"We're getting ready for a big get-together tonight," said Edith Raquin, the mayor of Cornusse, a village of 220 people located less than two kilometres (about one mile) from the site.

"We might stay awake all night."

No major incidents were reported, with emergency services treating a dozen people for minor injuries.

P.Martin--AMWN