Teen Injured by Police Grenade During French Student Protests

<p>A teenager sustained severe injuries when a police dispersal grenade detonated in his hand during protests in Lens, France, on October 5, 2026. The 15-year-old was among high school students protesting against poor conditions and teacher shortages across the country. Officials reported that the teenager lost his hand and part of his lower arm due to the explosion.</p><p>François-Xavier Lauch, the prefect of Pas-de-Calais, stated that approximately 200 to 250 protesters were throwing objects at police during the incident. Education Minister Edouard Geffray noted that the protests had been declining in recent days and announced plans for a platform to allow students to express their grievances.</p><p>The incident occurred just before a national demonstration organized by the pupils' union, which is advocating against underfunding, overcrowding, and deteriorating school conditions. The protests, which began in Paris, have spread to other regions and have been marked by increasing violence, including reports of schools being vandalized.</p><p>As of now, over 5,000 individuals have been arrested since the protests began, with 87% being minors. The Justice Ministry of France indicated that more than 1,800 people are facing prosecution, including 1,483 minors, although specific charges have not been disclosed.</p><p>Sami Karen, an 18-year-old protester, expressed determination to continue the demonstrations, stating, "We’re going to keep blocking until the government hears us. As long as they don’t listen to us, we won’t stop this fight."