Teen Loses Hand After Picking Up Police Grenade at French School Protest

A 15-year-old student lost a hand on Monday after picking up a police grenade during nationwide protests in France over classroom conditions, an incident that has intensified scrutiny of the government's response to the unrest. The teenager was injured in the northern town of Lens, with a police union source saying he appeared to have picked up a sting-ball grenade fired by riot police. The protests, which have disrupted lessons at hundreds of schools since late September, stem from grievances including teacher absences, overloaded timetables, and dilapidated buildings. More than 400 of France's 3,700 high schools were partially or totally closed on Monday morning, and over 5,000 people, 85 percent of them minors, have been arrested since the movement began. The French Human Rights League accused security forces of using disproportionate methods against child protesters, while the government has pushed legislation to make those responsible for damaging public property pay for repairs. The unrest comes months before 2027 elections, with authorities accusing hard-left activists of hijacking the movement.