Teenager loses hand in police clash during French school protests
By Ben Hatton
Published 5 Oct 2026
A 15‑year‑old boy in the north‑eastern city of Lens had his hand blown off during a confrontation between police and students amid the upheaval over France’s deteriorating school conditions.
Prefect François‑Xavier Lauch called the incident “very serious” and said the teenager was quickly transferred to a nearby hospital, “the student's life is not in danger.”
The event took place outside the Auguste Béhal high school, where large crowds of students had gathered after lawmakers approved police intervention—CRS riot police were dispatched to restore order.
According to a regional newspaper, the boy’s hand was blown off after he picked up a police stun grenade, but investigators from the General Inspection of the National Police (IGPN) have yet to release full details.
The incident comes after roughly 500 schools across France have either been partially or fully shut for the week in response to protests, which began over poor infrastructure, insufficient staff and lack of substitutes.
The school in Lens has moved to distance learning and set up a support unit to help students navigate the chaos.
