Teen's hand blown off by police grenade during French student protests: report

More than 5,000 people have been arrested since the demonstrations over underfunding and teacher shortages began

A teenager had his hand blown off as high school protesters clashed with French police during chaotic riots, as students across the country continue to protest poor conditions and teacher shortages.

The 15-year-old had picked up a police dispersal grenade that detonated in the town of Lens, losing his hand and part of his lower arm, officials said Monday, Reuters reported, as the wave of school protests entered its third week,

François-Xavier Lauch, prefect of Pas-de-Calais, said roughly 200 to 250 protesters had been hurling objects at police.

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Masked protesters install a barricade amid clashes with police near the Lycee Berthelot high school in Aubervilliers, near Paris, Oct. 2, 2026, as part of nationwide protests to demand the hiring of substitute teachers, increased resources and better learning conditions. The slogan on the placard reads: "Same studies, but not the same rights". 

Education Minister Edouard Geffray said the wave of protests had been declining in recent days and the government would launch a platform for students to express their dissatisfaction.

The incident involving the teen happened on the eve of a national demonstration by the pupils' union against underfunding, overcrowding and dilapidation.

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Students clash with police during ongoing student protest action, in Lyon, central eastern France, on Oct. 1, 2026. Since late September, students have staged protests nationwide outside schools over timetables, class sizes, teacher shortages and overheated classrooms during this year's heatwaves.

The protests come months ahead of an election to replace outgoing President Emmanuel Macron. The demonstrations began in Paris, mostly focusing on poor suburbs, before spreading nationwide.

Government officials said the protests have evolved into violence, including some schools being ransacked.

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Students clash with police during protests over school conditions and teacher shortages. A teenager lost his hand after picking up a police grenade, according to reports. 

French high school students demonstrate outside the Lycee Voltaire high school. More than 400 schools remain closed, with protests escalating into violence in some places. 

"We’re going to keep blocking until the government hears us," Sami Karen, 18, told Reuters while demonstrating outside Charles de Foucauld high school in Paris. "As long as they don’t listen to us, we won’t stop this fight."

In total, more than 5,000 people have been arrested since the protests began, with 87% of them being minors. More than 1,800 people are facing prosecution, including 1,483 minors, France's Justice Ministry said.

The specific charges were not disclosed.

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