Teenager Loses Hand Picking Up Police Grenade During French School Protests

A 15-year-old student lost a hand on Monday in the northern French town of Lens after picking up a police grenade during ongoing nationwide protests over classroom conditions.

The incident occurred as students across France continued to block entrances to hundreds of schools, demanding better facilities, more teachers, and improved learning environments. The protests, which began in late September, have disrupted lessons at hundreds of schools and have been marked by blazes and barricades at some locations. Authorities stated that approximately 200 to 250 protesters were hurling objects at police when the incident involving the teenager occurred.

A police union source indicated the student appeared to have picked up a sting-ball grenade fired by riot police, which then exploded. The teenager was hospitalized in Lille and is reported to be out of danger. The French Education Ministry reported that over 400 of the country's 3,700 high schools were partially or totally closed on Monday.

Grievances cited by students include teacher absences, overloaded timetables, dilapidated classrooms, and buildings ill-adapted to rising temperatures. The unrest comes months before the 2027 elections to succeed President Emmanuel Macron. The French Human Rights League has accused security forces of using disproportionate methods against protesters, many of whom are minors, and internal investigations have been opened into alleged police brutality. Student unions have called for larger demonstrations on Tuesday, dubbed "Act III" of the movement.