A 15-year-old student lost a hand on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, after picking up a police grenade during nationwide protests in France. The incident occurred in the northern town of Lens as students continued demonstrations over classroom conditions, staffing shortages, and building maintenance. Prefect Francois-Xavier Lauch confirmed that an investigation into the injury has been opened, while police union sources reported the device was a sting-ball grenade fired by riot police.
The protests began on Sept. 17 at a high school in the Paris suburb of Creteil and have since spread across the country. Students have expressed grievances regarding teacher absences, overcrowded classrooms of up to 35 pupils, dilapidated facilities, and buildings that lack adequate cooling for rising temperatures. While some students returned to classes on Monday, others maintained blockades outside schools, occasionally clashing with security forces in cities such as Lille and Bordeaux.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray reported that between 400 and 500 high schools were partially or totally closed on Monday due to security concerns. According to government data, 24 schools have been burned or ransacked and 78 teaching staff have been injured since the movement began. Since the previous Monday, approximately 5,000 people have been arrested, with authorities stating that 85% of those detained are minors.
Families could notice a concrete change in their household finances if a proposed bill is enacted. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu stated the law would make those responsible for property damage—estimated to already exceed tens of millions of euros—liable for repair costs. This could result in the government recovering compensation directly from family allowances and housing benefits, provided a minimum income threshold is preserved. Students and staff face immediate physical risks, with 78 staff members injured and reports of students suffering eye injuries and lost teeth during clashes.
The situation has created tension between student groups and the state, with the French Human Rights League accusing security forces of using disproportionate force against children. These events occur as the government prepares for elections next year to determine President Emmanuel Macron's successor. A national day of demonstrations and a coordinated strike by teaching unions including the CGT, CFDT, and FSU are scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 6, which officials fear may lead to further property damage and closures.