A 15-year-old student lost his hand during clashes between high-school protesters and riot police in the northern French city of Lens, as nationwide demonstrations over school conditions entered their third week.
The teenager was injured near the Auguste-Béhal high school on Monday morning and was transferred to a hospital in Lille. Pas-de-Calais prefect François-Xavier Lauch said the boy’s life was not in danger.
French authorities have opened an investigation into what happened. Reports from French media say a police stun grenade was involved, but the exact sequence remains disputed. One account said the teenager picked up the device before it exploded, while other reports said it was not yet clear whether he handled it or whether it struck him.
Around 200 to 250 students had gathered outside the school, according to the local prefect. Authorities said some protesters threw objects, including stones and fireworks, toward police officers, prompting riot police to intervene.
The incident comes amid a growing wave of student demonstrations across France. Hundreds of schools were reported fully or partially closed on Monday as pupils protested against teacher shortages, overcrowding, poor school infrastructure and wider concerns about education conditions.
The protests have increasingly turned confrontational in several cities. Police have used riot-control measures, while some demonstrators have been accused of throwing projectiles, setting fires and damaging property.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray said about 400 to 500 schools were expected to be affected on Monday. The education ministry has also reported damage to schools and injuries among teaching staff since the demonstrations began.
The French government has faced growing pressure to address students’ complaints. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has acknowledged their concerns and ordered ministers to work on issues including replacement teachers, school repairs and the length of the school day.
The teenager’s injury has added fresh scrutiny to the police response, particularly because several young people have reportedly suffered injuries during the demonstrations. Rights groups and opposition politicians have questioned whether police tactics have been proportionate, while authorities have stressed the need to maintain order as some protests have become violent.
A nationwide student demonstration is expected on Tuesday, raising concerns that tensions could escalate further. Authorities are now under pressure to protect public safety while responding to the education demands that have brought thousands of students onto the streets.
