A 15-year-old boy lost his hand during unrest near a school in France, an official has confirmed, as student demonstrations continue across the nation.
The “very serious incident” took place in the north-eastern city of Lens on Monday morning, according to François-Xavier Lauch, the prefect of Pas-de-Calais.
“The student’s life is not in danger,” he stated, adding that the teenager was transported “very quickly” to a nearby hospital.
Roughly 500 schools across the country were partially or completely shut on Monday due to student protests concerning the state of school buildings and staffing levels, issues that have sparked clashes with police in recent days.
Accounts in French media differ regarding how the boy sustained the injury.
Regional newspaper La Voix Du Nord reported that he lost his hand after picking up a police stun grenade.
Officials have yet to release specific details.
A regional prosecutor stated an investigation would be conducted by the General Inspection of the National Police (IGPN), “so all light can be shed on what happened”.
The prefect confirmed the incident occurred close to the Auguste Béhal high school.
Lauch said a “larger gathering” of students than on previous days had assembled outside the school.
“At the start of the morning, they threw various projectiles at the local police officers who were on site initially. When I say projectiles, I mean stones, fireworks, and mortars,” he told French media.
“Instructions were given by the interdepartmental director of the National Police, naturally with my approval, to deploy a company of riot police (CRS) here to maintain order, and it was in this context that this event occurred.”
The school issued a statement on Monday morning declaring: "In light of the events that took place this morning and in order to ensure the safety of the entire school community, the institution is switching to distance learning from now on.
"In addition, to support everyone during this period, a listening and support unit has also been set up at the establishment."
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