Teen loses hand picking up police grenade as France school protests continue

Updated on: October 5, 2026 / 12:01 PM EDT / CBS/AFP

A 15-year-old student lost a hand on Monday picking up a police grenade as part of nationwide protests in France over classroom conditions that have disrupted lessons at hundreds of schools since last week.

Some students returned to classrooms but others maintained actions outside their schools, ahead of a day of larger demonstrations expected on Tuesday.

Authorities said the teenager was injured in the northern town of Lens. A police union source told French news agency AFP he appeared to have picked up a sting-ball grenade fired by riot police and that it exploded in his hand.

Since late September, students have blocked the entrances to hundreds of schools, complaining of teacher absences, overloaded timetables, dilapidated classrooms and buildings ill-adapted to rising temperatures, among other grievances.

Bilal Narjissi, a 17-year-old protester, told CBS News his school had a rat infestation. Student leader Daphnee Die said the violence has been sparked by the students' frustration.

"It's understandable, but it's getting really dangerous, and that's why we're warning students to be safe during these events," Die told CBS News.

The unrest erupted months before elections next year that will determine the…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/