Tuesday, October 6, 2026 - A 15-year-old boy lost his hand and part of his lower arm during clashes between students and riot police in Lens, northern France, as nationwide school protests intensified.
Reports say the teenager picked up a police dispersal grenade before it exploded, although French authorities are investigating the exact circumstances. The incident has become one of the most serious injuries in protests that have already left hundreds injured.
The unrest is spreading rapidly across France, with students protesting teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and deteriorating school facilities.
Authorities said more than 6,100 people had been arrested by October 6, most of them minors, while hundreds of schools have been disrupted or closed. Police have used tear gas and other crowd-control measures as some demonstrations have turned violent.
The teenager’s injury has sharply raised pressure on the government to prevent further escalation while addressing the students’ demands.
An investigation by France’s police inspectorate, IGPN, is examining the Lens incident, as officials and rights groups face growing questions over the use of crowd-control weapons around minors.
With nationwide demonstrations continuing, the coming days could prove critical for restoring calm and keeping schools open.
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