Overview

• About 55 second-year students were discovered in the Bouconne forest, many nearly undressed and some tied to trees and gagged, according to the prosecutor.
• Motorists’ calls prompted a major search-and-rescue operation involving gendarmes, roughly 30 firefighters, divers due to a reported nude lake plunge, a canine team, and a drone.
• Three participants were taken to hospital, including one for severe hypothermia, with authorities later indicating their lives were not in danger.
• The case is being examined for aggravated hazing, endangering the lives of others, and group violence following a complaint filed by the Rangueil medical school dean.
• The university condemned the conduct and announced disciplinary action, and Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste denounced the practices as archaic as investigators work to identify the instigators.