Teen Suffers Severe Injury After Picking Up Police Grenade During French School Protests
Teen loses hand after picking up police grenade during ongoing French school protests. Unrest continues as students demand better conditions.
POLICY WIRE — Paris, France — A 15-year-old student suffered a life-altering injury on Monday after picking up a police grenade during ongoing nationwide protests in France over deteriorating classroom conditions.
The incident occurred in the northern town of Lens, where a police union source confirmed the teen had picked up a sting-ball grenade fired by riot officers, which exploded in his hand. The protests, which began in late September, have disrupted education at hundreds of schools and have drawn widespread attention due to their intensity and scale.
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Students have been blocking school entrances for weeks, citing overcrowded classrooms, outdated infrastructure, and insufficient staffing. While some returned to classes, others continued demonstrations outside their schools ahead of larger rallies planned for Tuesday. Authorities reported that over 400 of France’s 3,700 high schools were partially or fully closed on Monday, with similar disruptions expected in the Paris region.
Amid the unrest, the French Human Rights League criticized security forces for using excessive force against protesters, many of whom are minors. Meanwhile, government officials have called for reforms, including addressing teacher shortages and improving school facilities. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced plans to hold a meeting with regional leaders to discuss long-term solutions, while also pushing legislation to hold vandals accountable for damages.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
