Police in France are concerned cocktail parties organised on Facebook are getting out of hand. Tens of thousands of people are reported to have attended recent parties in Nantes and Montpellier. Concerns over security were exacerbated by reports of casualties and damage to public property at these events.

French authorities are trying to figure out how to deal with these illegal cocktail parties, for which the cleanup costs can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In France, any large gathering needs prior authorisation before going ahead.

A 21-year old man died last Thursday at a giant 'Apéro' party in Nantes, where he fell 20 feet off a bridge. He is thought to have drunk 10 to 15 glasses of whisky at the event. While 57 people were hospitalised mostly due to drinking, a further 42 were jailed for petty crimes.

Similar cocktail parties are reportedly being organised across the country over the summer, as well as in neighbouring Belgium. Authorities have tried to crack down on planned gatherings in Chambery and Annecy by banning the consumption of alcohol where they are due to take place.

French police have even gone so far as to set up their own Facebook page to try to dissuade people from taking part in these events.

Facebook's answer to the infamous Full Moon Parties in Thailand, or just a temporary fad? In any case, French authorities seem to have their hands full for the time being.

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