A 15-year-old student lost his hand during violent clashes between high school protesters and French police, as demonstrations over deteriorating school conditions and teacher shortages continued across the country.
The teenager reportedly picked up a police dispersal grenade in Lens before it exploded, severing his hand and part of his lower arm, officials said Monday, Reuters reported. The incident came as the nationwide school protests entered their third week.
François-Xavier Lauch, prefect of Pas-de-Calais, said an estimated 200 to 250 demonstrators had thrown objects at police during the unrest.
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Masked demonstrators put up a barricade during clashes with police near Lycee Berthelot high school in Aubervilliers, outside Paris, on Oct. 2, 2026. The action was part of nationwide protests calling for more substitute teachers, greater school funding and improved learning conditions. The placard reads: “Same studies, but not the same rights”. (Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters)
Education Minister Edouard Geffray said protest activity had eased in recent days. He added that the government planned to create a platform where students could share their concerns and frustrations.
The teenager was injured one day before a national rally organized by the pupils’ union, which is protesting inadequate funding, overcrowded classrooms and deteriorating school buildings.
Students confront police during continuing demonstrations in Lyon, central-eastern France, on Oct. 1, 2026. Since late September, young people have gathered outside schools nationwide to protest schedules, large class sizes, teacher shortages and overheated classrooms during this year’s heat waves. (Alex Martin AFP via Getty Images)
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The unrest comes only months before an election to succeed President Emmanuel Macron. The movement began in Paris, with many demonstrations centered in poorer suburbs, before spreading to communities across France.
Officials say the demonstrations have increasingly been marked by violence, with some schools reportedly vandalized or ransacked.
Students clash with police during demonstrations over school conditions and a nationwide shortage of teachers. Reports say one teenager suffered the loss of his hand after picking up a police grenade. (Getty Images)
French high school students protest outside Lycee Voltaire. More than 400 schools remain closed as unrest at some demonstrations has intensified into violence. (Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters)
“We’re going to keep blocking until the government hears us,” 18-year-old Sami Karen told Reuters while protesting outside Charles de Foucauld high school in Paris. “As long as they don’t listen to us, we won’t stop this fight.”
More than 5,000 people have been arrested since the protests started, and 87% of those detained were minors, according to France’s Justice Ministry. The ministry said more than 1,800 people face prosecution, including 1,483 minors.
Authorities have not released details about the charges.