France Suspends Stun Grenades After Teen Loses Hand in School Protests

France’s government suspended stun grenade use at student protests on October 7, one day after a 15-year-old boy lost his hand outside a high school in the northern city of Lens. The injury occurred during a confrontation between riot police and demonstrators protesting teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and deteriorating school buildings. Hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets, and five major education unions called for strikes on October 10.

What happened in Lens on October 5

A 15-year-old boy’s hand was blown off outside Auguste-Béhal high school in Lens during a police operation on Monday morning, October 5. François-Xavier Lauch, the prefect of Pas-de-Calais, confirmed the “very serious incident” and said the teenager was transferred quickly to hospital. His life is not in danger. Conflicting accounts exist about how the injury occurred: a police union source told AFP the boy appeared to have picked up a sting-ball grenade fired by riot police, but a girl standing nearby told regional newspaper La Voix Du Nord he did not pick it up. Lens Mayor Sylvain Robert said circumstances still needed clarification. A regional prosecutor opened an investigation by the French police watchdog, the General Inspection of the National Police (IGPN).

Scale of injuries and police response

The incident is one of six judicial investigations into alleged police violence since protests began at the start of the academic year. According to Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, 215 students and 85 school staff have been injured, along with 715 police officers. A 14-year-old boy named Eden suffered a double jaw fracture and lost several teeth after being struck in the face with a tear gas grenade on September 28. A 16-year-old lost sight in one eye after reportedly being hit with a rubber bullet. The Education Ministry reported 190 students injured since protests began. On October 7, the French government suspended stun grenade use at school protests.

Student demands and government response

Students are protesting five major demands: organising replacement of absent teachers, reviewing France’s lengthy school days (among Europe’s longest), repairing deteriorating buildings, and reducing police presence. Children have reported water leaking into classrooms, cockroaches, collapsing ceilings, and unbearable summer heat. Prime Minister Lecornu accepted the grievances as “legitimate” and ordered ministers to produce proposals by the end of October. On October 6, tear gas was used in Paris and Marseille as hundreds of thousands demonstrated. Student unions estimated 450,000 people protested on October 6, while the government reported more than 250,000. Classes were disrupted at 891 high schools on Tuesday, nearly a quarter of all lycées.

Union action and ongoing disruption

Five education unions including SNES-FSU, CGT, FO, and Sud called for strikes and demonstrations on Thursday, October 10. Sophie Vénétitay, general secretary of the SNES-FSU, confirmed at a press conference that “our five organisations will be supporting Thursday’s protests.” As of Wednesday morning, October 7, classes at 528 high schools had been totally or partially suspended, a 41 percent decrease from Tuesday’s disruptions. The Education Ministry reported 86 percent of high schools had opened their doors. Students have barricaded schools in Paris and other cities, with demonstrators calling for less police repression alongside demands for better school resources.

Final Thoughts

The suspension of stun grenades marks a significant policy shift, but core disputes over teacher staffing and school conditions remain unresolved. With five unions backing October 10 strikes and hundreds of thousands already mobilised, the government faces sustained pressure to deliver concrete reforms by month’s end.

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