A police grenade tears off a hand and part of the forearm of a 15-year-old student in the protests in France

BarcelonaA police grenade has left a 15-year-old student without his left hand and with part of his forearm amputated this Monday in Lens, in the north of France, amidst widespread protests against the situation of public high schools. The explosion occurred in front of a vocational training institute during clashes between students and police forces. The boy, originally from the neighboring town of Wingles, was rushed to the Lille Regional Hospital Center.

Initial reports indicate that the teenager suffered the injuries following the explosion of a dispersion grenade thrown by the CRS, the French riot police. However, the exact circumstances of the incident are a matter of controversy. A police union source cited by several local media outlets has claimed that the boy picked up the device from the ground with the intention of throwing it back at the officers.

This version, however, is disputed by witnesses present at the scene. A student who was next to the injured teenager reported that the grenade hit his hand directly and that he did not pick it up. The prosecutor of Béthune, Étienne Thieffry, has confirmed that an investigation has been opened and has admitted that, for the moment, "it cannot be determined" whether the boy grabbed it or received a direct impact. The center has immediately suspended in-person classes and switched to distance learning to ensure the safety of students and staff. As of two in the afternoon, a listening and psychological support service has also been set up for the educational community.

More than 5,000 detained

The incident is the most serious one of a day marked by tension in various parts of France. More than 400 of the country's 3,700 high schools have been partially or totally closed this Monday, according to the Ministry of Education. In the Paris region, one in three high schools for students between 15 and 17 years old was closed. In Lille, in the north, hooded protesters destroyed bus stops and burned dumpsters, while the police responded with tear gas. In Bordeaux there have also been clashes and the launching of fireworks at officers.

The protest began on September 17 at a high school in Créteil, on the outskirts of Paris, in support of teachers denouncing the lack of staff and resources. Since then, it has spread across the country and has incorporated other demands: overloaded schedules, absent teachers, and school buildings that are deteriorated or inadequate in the face of rising temperatures. According to the government, 24 centers have been set on fire or looted and more than 5,000 people have been arrested since the beginning of the movement, 85% of whom are minors.

Disproportionate police methods

The police response has also come under scrutiny. The Human Rights League accused the security forces this Monday of using disproportionate methods against protesters who, in the vast majority of cases, are minors. Its president, Nathalie Tehio, has denounced that the instructions given to the police do not demand enough restraint even though the officers "are dealing with children".

The government is trying to combine concessions and a firm hand. The Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, has announced measures to accelerate the filling of vacant teaching positions and has called a meeting with regional presidents for this Tuesday to address the renovation of school buildings. At the same time, he defends a law that would allow families to be charged for the cost of damage caused by their children to furniture or public buildings.

This Monday, the main French unions called for a strike in the private and public sectors and demonstrations for November 5th against the government's budget plan. The mobilization is taking place just a few months before the 2027 elections, which will decide Emmanuel Macron's successor. The far-right candidate, Marine Le Pen, is the favorite in the polls.