Teenager’s Hand Blown Off During France School Protest Clash
The prefect of Pas‑de‑Calais confirmed a 15‑year‑old boy suffered a traumatic hand injury amid a confrontation between police and students outside a school in Lens on Monday.
Authorities said the incident, described as "very serious," occurred when students hurled projectiles—stones, fireworks and mortars—at police, prompting a reinforcement of riot police (CRS) on the scene.
In the aftermath, the boy was rushed to a nearby hospital where his life was deemed stable, but the injury rendered his hand detached. La Voix du Nord reports it was caused by a stun‑grenade the teenager had seized.
Around 500 schools nationwide were partially or fully closed on the same day as students protested for better premises, staffing and safer learning conditions. The prefect said the crowd outside Auguste Béhal high school was larger than on previous days.
An investigation by the French police watchdog, the General Inspection of the National Police (IGPN), will determine exactly how the blow‑off occurred.
The school announced a shift to distance learning for the rest of the day and has set up a listening and support unit for students and staff.
The incident underscores escalating tensions amid nationwide student demonstrations over educational reforms.
