Teenager loses hand in police grenade blast at French school protest

A 15-year-old student in France lost his hand after a police grenade exploded during a high school protest near a lycée in Lens, an incident occurring amid nationwide school blockades. The teenager was among roughly 200 protesters when the blast occurred. Witnesses say the grenade hit his arm and exploded, while police claim he picked it up to throw back. He was hospitalized in Lille with serious injuries, and an internal police investigation is underway. The protests, started by students from Paris suburbs over poor school conditions, have led to partial or full closures of about 500 of France's 3,700 high schools. Unions have threatened to join demonstrations on Tuesday, as President Macron's government seeks to contain the unrest.