A 15-year-old boy lost his hand on Monday during clashes with law enforcement in France as part of escalating student protests that have rocked the country in recent days, according to reports.
The serious incident occurred in Lens, Pas-de-Calais, around 10:30 AM, as approximately 200-250 young people gathered in front of the Auguste Béhal vocational high school.
While the exact circumstances surrounding the incident are still being investigated, a police source stated that the teenager lost his hand after picking up a dispersal grenade and attempting to throw it back at the police.
“Unfortunately, we had a student who was seriously injured during a demonstration, a 15-year-old whose hand was severed,” said Étienne Thieffry, the local prosecutor overseeing the investigation into the incident.
“Fortunately, the student’s life is not in danger. He was quickly transferred to Lille, where he is receiving the necessary medical care,” he added.
Investigation Launched for Permanent Disability Caused by Violence
The General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN) has opened an investigation into “violence resulting in permanent disability/mutilation” to fully clarify the case.
Reports indicate that the student protests, which began in France a week ago, show no signs of subsiding. Protests have occurred in over 1,200 high schools, resulting in more than 5,000 arrests, predominantly of minors.
Over the weekend, authorities warned that the situation is spiraling “out of control.”
The head of the Paris police, Patrice Faure, urged students to refrain from blocking schools and to return to peaceful forms of protest. He suggested to parents that the protests are being influenced by “professional thugs.”
French media reported on Monday afternoon that the situation is currently generally calm, with violent incidents typically occurring after dark. However, clashes between some protesters and law enforcement have taken place in Paris and other locations, not just in Lens.
Reasons Behind Student Protests in France
According to France24, up to 500 high schools across France will be fully or partially closed on Monday due to the wave of student protests sweeping the nation.
Students are frustrated over what they perceive as chronic underfunding of public schools, a grievance exacerbated by claims that state resources are inequitably distributed, with wealthier areas, predominantly white populations, historically receiving the largest share of funding.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), France’s spending on primary and secondary education was in the mid-range among member countries and increased between 2015 and 2022; however, its share of the budget has slightly declined.
The government has declared the protests irresponsible but acknowledged that the difficulties faced by high schools should be recognized and addressed, as reported by Reuters.
