Teenager in Lens loses hand to police grenade during protest

A 15-year-old student in Lens, France, had his hand torn off by a police grenade during a school protest, sustaining severe injuries. He was hospitalized in Lille but is not in life-threatening danger, and an investigation has been launched. The violence occurred when police were attacked with stones and fireworks by a group of 200 to 250 students. Authorities are investigating whether the grenade exploded in his hand or after he picked it up, with the grenade type still unconfirmed. The protests are part of nationwide high school demonstrations, with similar violent excesses occurring last week. A student witness described the explosion, and local media report a controversial stun grenade was used.