A 15-year-old student lost his hand and part of his lower arm in the town of Lens, northern France, during clashes between high-school protesters and riot police. According to regional newspaper La Voix du Nord, the teenager had picked up a police dispersal grenade before it detonated. François-Xavier Lauch, prefect of Pas-de-Calais, confirmed the incident but declined to comment on the exact circumstances.
The injury occurred as nationwide demonstrations over poor school conditions entered their third week. The protests, which began in Paris in September, have spread across France, forcing hundreds of schools to close or suspend classes. Education Minister Edouard Geffray said between 400 and 500 of France's 3,700 high schools were expected to be closed or partially closed ahead of a national demonstration.
Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said the priority was to restore order as authorities prepared for another day of demonstrations. The government has accused hard-left France Unbowed lawmakers and mayors of encouraging or exploiting the protests, allegations the party has rejected. France Unbowed, led by presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon, has denied encouraging violence and accused the government of politicising the demonstrations.
Rights groups have accused French police of using excessive force against minors, including batons, tear gas and rubber-bullet weapons. Authorities are investigating the case of a 16-year-old student who suffered an eye injury after police allegedly fired rubber bullets into a crowd. The Interior Ministry had not immediately responded to a request for comment on the allegation.
The unrest has created political and economic pressure for the French government as it seeks to reduce the country's budget deficit. Concerns over France's finances recently pushed the yield on its 10-year bonds above 5 per cent, its highest level in 24 years. On Monday, clashes were reported in Lille, while tear gas was used in Toulouse and a fire was started during an attempted break-in at a school in Paris.
Student protester Sami Karen, 18, said the demonstrations would continue until the government responded to their demands. "We're going to keep blocking until the government hears us," he said. "As long as they don't listen to us, we won't stop this fight." With another nationwide demonstration scheduled, French authorities are bracing for further clashes.
Since the protests began, 5,060 people have been arrested, with 87 per cent of those arrested being minors. More than 1,800 people are being prosecuted, including 1,483 minors, while 790 cases have been dismissed. Education Minister Edouard Geffray said 24 schools had been burned or ransacked, while 78 teaching staff and at least 190 students had been injured during the unrest.
Key points
- A 15-year-old student lost his hand during clashes between high-school protesters and riot police in northern France.
- The protests over poor school conditions have entered their third week, with hundreds of schools forced to close or suspend classes.
- The French government is facing accusations of using excessive force against minors and politicising the demonstrations.
