Teen Arrested After Setting Woman's Face on Fire During French Student Protests

French police have arrested a 15-year-old boy captured on video igniting a woman's face with a makeshift flamethrower during protests in Marseille. The incident occurred Friday amidst nationwide student demonstrations that have gripped France for over a week.

The footage shows the masked teenager using an aerosol can and a lighter to create a blast of fire directed at a woman standing near a bus stop. The victim sustained first-degree burns to her face and received medical attention at the scene. French authorities apprehended the 15-year-old shortly after the attack.

These protests, which began with student demands for improved school conditions, including better facilities, cooler classrooms, and adequate staffing, have seen escalating unrest. Protesters have been blockading schools and lighting fires.

Education Minister Edouard Geffray acknowledged the legitimacy of the initial student concerns but stated the movement has been "taken hostage by ultra-left groups." He reported that at least 400 of France's 3,700 high schools are facing partial or full closures due to the ongoing demonstrations. As of the latest reports, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez indicated that over 5,000 arrests have been made since the protests began, with a significant number of those detained being high school students. The protests have led to confrontations between students and police, particularly in cities like Marseille, where images show police in riot gear clashing with demonstrators and damage, including burned e-scooters, near educational institutions.