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Teenager loses hand in clash between school protesters and riot police in Lens

bbc.com — October 5, 2026 at 02:01 PM UTC

A 15-year-old boy's hand was blown off during a confrontation between student protesters and riot police near a school in Lens, France, on Monday, an official confirmed. The teenager's life is not in danger. The prefect of Pas-de-Calais, François-Xavier Lauch, called it a "very serious incident" and said the student was quickly hospitalized. Around 500 schools were partially or totally closed nationwide amid protests over school conditions and staffing, with clashes reported in recent days. French media reports differ on how the injury occurred, and an investigation by the police watchdog IGPN has been opened. Police said students threw projectiles like stones and fireworks before riot officers were deployed, and the school has switched to distance learning.

With a significance score of 2.2, this news ranks in the top 20% of today's 32639 analyzed articles.

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