Teenager Injured During French School Protests
A 15-year-old boy sustained a severe hand injury during a confrontation between protesters and police near a school in northern France, as student demonstrations continue nationwide.
A 15-year-old boy lost a hand during a confrontation between police and demonstrators outside a school in Lens, France, on Monday. The incident occurred as student protests, sparked by concerns over school conditions and staffing, escalated with clashes in several cities.
François-Xavier Lauch, the prefect of Pas-de-Calais, stated that the student's life is not in danger and he was quickly transported to a hospital. The exact circumstances of the injury remain unclear, with mixed reports emerging in French media. Regional newspaper La Voix Du Nord reported that the teenager lost his hand after picking up a police stun grenade.
The incident took place near the Auguste Béhal high school, where officials reported a larger gathering of students than on previous days. According to Lauch, students initiated the confrontation by throwing projectiles, including stones, fireworks, and mortars, at police officers on site. In response, a company of riot police was deployed to maintain order, and the injury occurred within this context.
An investigation into the incident has been launched by the General Inspection of the National Police (IGPN), France's police watchdog, to clarify what happened.
Across France, approximately 500 schools experienced partial or total closures on Monday due to the ongoing student protests. The demonstrations, which began in the Ile-de-France region, have spread nationwide, with students voicing grievances ranging from timetables and class sizes to a shortage of teachers and overheated classrooms. In response to the events on Monday morning, the Auguste Béhal high school announced it was switching to distance learning to ensure the safety of its community and established a support unit for students.
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