Teenager Seriously Injured in Clashes as French Student Protests Spread Nationwide

A 15-year-old French student had his hand blown off on Monday during clashes between police and demonstrators outside the Auguste Béhal high school in Lens. Pas-de-Calais prefect François-Xavier Lauch confirmed the severe injury, stating the youth was quickly hospitalized and his life is not in danger. Local authorities reported that riot police (CRS) were deployed after demonstrators threw stones, fireworks, and mortars. Conflicting accounts surround the blast, with police sources indicating the boy picked up an explosive sting-ball grenade, while an eyewitness cited by regional media insisted he did not handle the device. The French police watchdog, IGPN, has launched an official inquiry.

The Lens incident follows another severe casualty last week, where a 14-year-old sustained a double jaw fracture from a tear gas canister in Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône. Education Minister Édouard Geffray disclosed that at least 190 students have been injured since demonstrations erupted. More than 5,000 individuals have been arrested nationwide, with minors comprising roughly 85% of total detentions. Lens Mayor Sylvain Robert emphasized that the operational circumstances must be clarified, while the injured boy’s school immediately shifted to distance learning to safeguard students.

The widespread unrest began in late September in Paris before expanding into a nationwide movement involving high school and university students. Protesters are rallying against severe teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and deteriorating school infrastructure. Left-wing opposition leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon characterized the mobilization as the most powerful French student uprising since May 1968. Although disruptions affected 589 institutions on Monday—down from 735 on Friday—tensions remain elevated across major urban centers.

France braces for intensified unrest on Tuesday following fresh mobilization calls from the Union Syndicale Lycéenne, backed by major teachers' unions including SNES-FSU. The French government has attempted to de-escalate tensions by announcing a national consultation platform to address student grievances, aiming to resolve core issues by October 16. However, rising student anger over police tactics and severe injuries threatens to prolong street confrontations across the country.