Teknival 2019: Ravers left sheltering under survival blankets with hypothermia after festival hit by surprise snow storm

Temperatures plummet to -3C overnight at unauthorised event held on military-owned hilltop

Around 30 ravers at a French music festival have been treated for hypothermia after they were hit by an unexpected snow storm.

Rescuers were forced to hand out hundreds of survival blankets when temperatures plummeted to -3C overnight on Saturday and Sunday at Teknival 2019, an unauthorised rave held on a military-owned hilltop in central France.

Up to 10,000 people attended the event over the weekend, but by Monday morning only 500-600 “diehards" remained, according to Le Parisien.

While many festival-goers were treated at the scene in a heated tent set up by organisers, two people were taken to hospital.

More than 100 police officers made a number of seizures of drugs, including cannabis, ecstasy and cocaine, the newspaper reported.

The annual music festival, part of a network of free parties which take place worldwide, is held every year in France at a secret location, which is only revealed shortly before it is due to begin.

Last year conservation groups accused the festival’s organisers of disturbing local wildlife after thousands gathered at another military base in the north of the country.