Teenager loses hand in police clash at French school protest

A 15-year-old boy's hand was blown off on Monday morning during a confrontation between police and protesters near a high school in Lens, in north-eastern France, the prefect of Pas-de-Calais, François-Xavier Lauch, said. He described it as a 'very serious incident' and said the teenager's life was not in danger, adding that he was taken to a hospital in a nearby area very quickly. The incident happened close to the Auguste Béhal high school, according to Lauch.

Around 500 schools across France were partially or fully shut on Monday as student protests over the condition of school buildings and staffing continued, with recent days seeing clashes with police. French media have given conflicting accounts of how the boy was injured. Regional newspaper La Voix Du Nord reported that he lost his hand after picking up a police stun grenade, while officials have not yet released details.

A regional prosecutor said the French police watchdog, the General Inspection of the National Police (IGPN), would investigate 'so all light can be shed on what happened'. Lauch said a larger crowd of students than on previous days had gathered outside the school. He said they threw projectiles including stones, fireworks and mortars at local police officers who were initially on site.

The prefect said instructions were given by the interdepartmental director of the National Police, with his approval, to send a company of riot police (CRS) to maintain order, and the incident occurred in that context. The school said in a statement on Monday morning that it was switching to distance learning to ensure the safety of the school community. It added that a listening and support unit had been set up at the establishment.