High school students' anger: A teenager seriously injured, with a hand torn off, in Lens

A 15-year-old boy suffered severe injuries, including the loss of one hand, during a confrontation between student protesters and police in Lens, northern France, on Monday. According to the prefect of Pas-de-Calais, François-Xavier Lauch, the incident occurred during a demonstration outside a local high school. The teenager was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, and authorities confirmed his life is not in danger. The event has sparked widespread debate over policing tactics and the handling of youth protests. The prefect stated that approximately 200 to 250 students gathered outside the Auguste-Béhal high school in Lens. They reportedly hurled projectiles such as stones, fireworks, and mortars at police officers stationed at the scene. In response, a unit of riot police (CRS) was deployed to restore order. It was within this context that the incident occurred, Lauch explained. According to a police source cited by 20 Minutes, the teenager attempted to retrieve a "sting-ball" grenade, used by police for crowd control, and relaunch it toward the officers. The grenade reportedly exploded in his hand, causing the amputation. However, conflicting accounts emerged regarding the exact sequence of events. A witness near the scene, quoted by La Voix Du Nord, claimed the boy did not pick up the grenade. She said, “He didn’t pick it up. I was there, I saw it. He didn’t pick it up, he didn’t catch it.” The regional prosecutor, Etienne Thieffry, announced that the case would be investigated by the General Inspection of the National Police (IGPN). The inquiry aims to clarify whether the teenager retrieved the grenade himself or if it struck him accidentally. Authorities will examine video footage, social media posts, testimonies from witnesses and police officers present at the time, and police radio communications to reconstruct the events accurately. The incident comes amid heightened tensions surrounding student protests across France. Demonstrations have persisted for weeks, driven by concerns over deteriorating school infrastructure, insufficient funding, and staff shortages. The protests reached a new phase with the planned "Act III" of the movement, which aimed to escalate pressure on the government. Political figures from the left have criticized the government’s approach to maintaining public order. Marine Tondelier, a member of the Left Party, condemned the incident as a “grave political failure” and a sign of “appalling lack of humanity.” She suspended her maternity leave to join the protests in the Pas-de-Calais region and later plan to attend a demonstration in Paris. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France Insoumise, called for greater protection of young protesters, urging supporters to act as intermediaries between demonstrators and police to prevent further violence. Fabien Roussel, secretary general of the Communist Party, demanded accountability from Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, stating that the minister should answer for decisions that resulted in the injury of a young person. Meanwhile, Olivier Faure of the Socialist Party pledged to provide security support to youth organizations to ensure peaceful demonstrations. The mayor of Lens, Sylvain Robert, acknowledged uncertainty about the exact circumstances leading to the injury. He noted that while some videos showed the aftermath, the specific actions of both protesters and police remained unclear. An official statement from the school emphasized the need to safeguard the well-being of the entire community following the incident. As the investigation continues, the case highlights growing concerns over the use of force by law enforcement during protests and the broader impact of student unrest on French society.