A 15-year-old student in the northern French town of Lens reportedly lost his hand on Monday during protests surrounding schools, as violent clashes with police persist. The student is believed to have picked up a tear gas grenade fired by riot police with the intention of throwing it back, but the device exploded in his hand, according to a source from a police union cited by AFP.

The unrest has led to the closure of hundreds of schools across France amid ongoing demonstrations expressing dissatisfaction with the education system.

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Additional Incidents and Arrests

Elsewhere, authorities arrested a 17-year-old who allegedly threw a piece of stone at police officers. The stone struck a passerby in the face, causing the individual to lose sight in one eye. This incident was reported by Le Figaro.

Government Response

France’s education minister condemned the “acts of extreme violence” occurring during the protests but also defended the democratic right of students and citizens to protest. Minister Édouard Geffray emphasized that while freedom of protest must be respected and protected, there is no tolerance for direct attacks, including assaults on school principals.

Concerns Ahead

These violent episodes raise concerns ahead of another planned “day of protests” targeting the education system. The government and police face challenges in balancing the protection of democratic freedoms with maintaining public order amid a surge in school-related unrest.