Teenager loses hand picking up grenade in France school protests

On Monday, a 15-year-old French student sustained a hand injury while participating in nationwide protests demanding improved classroom conditions. The incident occurred in Lens, northern France, where the teenager picked up a police grenade, which subsequently detonated in his hand. Since late September, students across the country have been protesting against teacher absences, overcrowded timetables, damaged school buildings, and other grievances.

The unrest occurred just months before the 2027 presidential elections, which will determine the successor to President Emmanuel Macron. While some students returned to classrooms on Monday, others maintained their actions outside their schools, anticipating larger demonstrations on Tuesday. Authorities expressed concern over the teenager's injury, alleging that he likely mishandled a police grenade and that it exploded in his hand.

The government has taken steps to address the students' complaints, but has accused hard-left activists of hijacking the protest movement. The French Human Rights League (LDH) criticized security forces for using disproportionate methods against protesters, particularly minors. In Paris, some students demonstrated outside a school while others attended lessons, while in Bordeaux, students returned to class while others continued protesting alongside riot police.

In Lille, masked protesters destroyed bus shelters and set fire to trash cans, resulting in tear gas being fired by police. The unrest began on September 17 at a high school in Paris's suburban Creteil, in support of teachers striking over staffing and resource shortages. The movement has since spread across France, leading to the closure of over 400 out of the country's 3,700 high schools, known as lycees.

Over 5,000 people, mostly minors, have been arrested, and internal investigations have been launched into at least three instances of alleged police brutality. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has called for the renovation of dilapidated school buildings and legislation to hold those who damage public property responsible for the costs.