French interior minister promises crackdown on illegal rave parties

France's interior minister vowed Sunday a crackdown on illegal raves as he flew over a giant party at a military site that defied warnings about the risk of possible explosions. The unauthorised rave known as a "free party" kicked off on Friday at a firing range near the central French town of Bourges. Organisers said that up to 40,000 people from France and neighbouring countries partied at the firing range, while Interior Minister Laurent Nunez put the turnout at 17,000. Officials said gathering at the military site was dangerous because of the risk of explosions from old ordnance dating back to World War II. Read moreUp to 30,000 expected at French military site for illegal rave despite unexploded mortar risk But organisers said they had chosen the firing range near Bourges – Nunez's hometown – on purpose, to protest against proposed legislation aimed at toughening penalties against organisers of free parties and their participants. On Sunday, Nunez flew over the site in a helicopter and met local residents. Speaking to reporters, Nunez said the defiance of the organisers only strengthened his determination to ban such events. He said the government would seek to "crack down more effectively" on illegal gatherings