A 15-year-old boy is believed to have lost his hand after a stun grenade exploded during school protests in northern France. The incident occurred this morning in Lens, Pas-de-Calais, where up to 250 young people had gathered near the Auguste-Béhal school.
Grenade detonated in student's hand
The teenager, thought to be a second-year high school pupil, reportedly picked up the stun grenade thrown by riot police before it detonated in his left hand, tearing it off, according to Horizon Actu. He was taken to a hospital in Lille, about 24 miles north of the protest, and is not believed to be in life-threatening condition.
Public prosecutor Étienne Thieffry was unable to confirm at this stage whether the student picked up the grenade or whether it was thrown at him. The French police watchdog, IGPN, has launched an investigation, including whether the criteria for using the type of grenade were met, Le Parisien reports.
School moves to remote learning
All teaching at the school was switched to remote lessons following the incident, and the school set up a support service for students. Demonstrations are raging across France after teenagers took to the streets to protest against conditions, especially during the record-breaking heatwaves. Students have also complained about a high rate of absent teachers.
Around 400 schools were closed today as a precaution after dozens of schools were ransacked and burned. Shocking social media footage showed some teachers being assaulted as they tried to leave schools amid the protests. The education minister, Edouard Geffray, accused unrelated activists of 'infiltrating' the student mass movement.
Protests spread to Belgium
School protests have spread to Belgium, with marches and blockades reported in Liege, Charleroi and Mons today.
