France’s interior minister suspends the use of stun grenades after a student lost his hand at a protest

France’s Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, announced on Wednesday, October 7, the suspension of stun grenades at high school students’ demonstrations after a 15-year-old suffered serious injuries at a protest held on Monday in Lens, in northern France. Doctors were forced to amputate one of his hands.

The circumstances of the incident remain unclear. Authorities are investigating whether the boy picked up the grenade from the ground or whether the device hit him directly. The teenager’s mother rejects the theory that he attempted to pick up the grenade. The suspension will remain in place until the investigation is completed.

The decision comes amid allegations of disproportionate use of force. Since the protests began, 18 internal investigations have been opened, including after one young person lost several teeth and a student lost sight in one eye. The official figures indicate that 215 teenagers, 89 school employees and 761 police officers have been injured.

The protests, sparked by a lack of teachers, overcrowded classrooms and the deterioration of schools, have spread to hundreds of institutions. More than 250,000 people demonstrated on Tuesday, while over 6,600 were arrested. The government has promised an education plan by the end of October.