By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-05 15:00:50 | Updated at 2026-10-05 16:54:11
2 hours ago
A teenager's hand has been blown off in France, as student protestors and police continue to violently clash on the streets, resulting in the closure of almost 500 schools.
The incident occurred in the city of Lens this morning, according to the local prefect, François-Xavier Lauch.
He said the student's life is "not in danger" and he was transferred to a hospital "very quickly".
The incident took place near the Auguste Béhal high school, which experienced a "larger gathering" of students outside the institution than usual, he said.
Students were throwing "various projectiles at the local police officers", including stones, fireworks and mortars, resulting in riot police being deployed.
Local newspaper La Voix du Nord reports the boy, 15, suffered the gruesome injury while picking up a police stun grenade, while Lens Mayor Sylvain Robert said the facts of the incident are yet to be clarified.
He said: "I have seen some videos showing the aftermath. But I did not see how the operation was organised, either by the police or by the students."
The General Inspection of the National Police (IGPN) will carry out an investigation into the incident.
A teenager's hand has been blown off in France, as student protestors and police continue to violently clash on the streets
REUTERS
Earlier today, the school said: "In light of the events that took place this morning and in order to ensure the safety of the entire school community, the institution is switching to distance learning from now on.
"In addition, to support everyone during this period, a listening and support unit has also been set up at the establishment."
The horrifying incident comes as students across the country continue to violently lash out against the government, citing eroding school facilities and infrastructure, along with overcrowding and staff shortages.
Students also reported sweltering in rooms without air conditioning during summer heatwaves, only to shiver through the winter months in the same poorly maintained buildings.
More than 5,000 individuals have been arrested, with a remarkable 85 per cent of those apprehended being minors
REUTERS
Students were throwing 'various projectiles at the local police officers', including stones, fireworks and mortars
REUTERS
"The public needs to know that conditions for studying are no longer what they were for us," said Sophie Bordy, a literature teacher in Paris. "It has deteriorated significantly."
Around 500 schools were closed today, while Education Minister Edouard Geffray confirmed on Sunday lessons would be "totally or partly suspended" at between 400 and 500 high schools.
He revealed 24 educational establishments had been set ablaze or vandalised since the unrest began last month.
Mr Geffray also said more than 170 pupils and 65 staff members have suffered injuries in the destructive demonstrations so far.
Additionally, more than 5,000 individuals have been arrested, with a remarkable 85 per cent of those apprehended being minors.
One of these includes a boy's horrific "flamethrower" assault on a woman.
Video footage showed a hooded youth lighting a can of deodorant and blasting flames directly into the innocent woman's face.
The influential CGT labour union is calling on workers to join demonstrations on Tuesday, raising the prospect of the disorder deepening further still.
The riots are thought to have left French taxpayers facing a damages bill worth more than €30million (£25million)
GETTY
The unrest first ignited in mid-September at a high school in Creteil, located on the southeastern fringes of Paris, where demonstrators brandished placards declaring "too many inequalities, we're disgusted" and "education is a right, not a privilege".
It has since spread nationwide and is thought to have left French taxpayers facing a damages bill worth more than €30million (£25million).
France's Justice Minister proposed a radical solution: make the parents "pay" for the repairs.
The far-left France Unbowed party (LFI) has been accused of trying to co-opt the high school student movement and inciting violence.
Their presidential candidate, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, has also been accused by Fabrice Pannekoucke, the president of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, of spouting "extremely violent remarks" before finally "changing his tone, too late."
Mr Pannekoucke's province estimated the damage on Friday at "between €25million and €30million across 300 high schools.
Mr Mélenchon has urged various supporters and party members to protect pupils by standing between the youngsters and police.
