A 15-year-old student suffered the loss of a hand during clashes between protesters and police outside a secondary school in Lens, northern France, on Monday, October 5.

The teenager was seriously injured during a demonstration outside Lycée Auguste-Béhal as French students continued protests over conditions in the country's public education system.

He was taken to a hospital in Lille. Authorities said his life was not in danger.

Circumstances Under Investigation

The incident occurred as riot police intervened during a confrontation between officers and students outside the school.

Police sources cited by French media said the teenager picked up a police dispersal grenade that had been fired during the operation and attempted to throw it back before it exploded.

However, this account has not been established as fact.

The prosecutor in Béthune, Étienne Thieffry, said investigators were not yet able to determine whether the teenager had picked up the grenade or whether the device had landed directly on him before exploding.

An investigation has therefore been entrusted to the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN) to establish the exact sequence of events.

The investigation is examining possible violence resulting in mutilation or permanent disability.

Around 250 Students at the Site

According to the prefect of Pas-de-Calais, François-Xavier Lauch, around 250 students had gathered in the area around the school.

Authorities said objects including stones and fireworks had been thrown towards police during the confrontation.

The police response involved riot officers, who intervened as tensions escalated.

The serious injury to the 15-year-old became the most severe incident reported during Monday's demonstrations.

Protests Spread Across France

The incident came amid a growing wave of student protests across France.

Students have been demonstrating over several issues affecting public education, including shortages of teachers, overcrowded classrooms and deteriorating school buildings.

The movement has spread beyond the Paris region, with schools disrupted in numerous cities.

More than 400 secondary schools were affected by blockades or closures on Monday, according to figures reported by French authorities.

The protests were expected to continue on Tuesday, October 6, with students, teachers and parents joining demonstrations in several parts of the country.

Government Under Pressure

The French government has been under increasing pressure as the school protests have expanded.

Authorities have announced measures intended to address some of the problems raised by students and teachers, including teacher vacancies and the condition of school buildings.

At the same time, the government has maintained that violence and damage to public property cannot be tolerated during demonstrations.

The events in Lens have intensified scrutiny of the police response, particularly because the injured student is 15 years old.

The IGPN investigation will now seek to establish exactly what happened in the moments before the explosion and determine the circumstances surrounding the teenager's severe injury.

For now, the loss of the student's hand is confirmed, but the precise sequence involving the police grenade remains under investigation.