# Police investigations into student injuries in Tours and Len > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/police-investigation-into-student-injury-in-tours > Updated: 2026-10-03T22:56:01.000Z. Sources: 51. Developments: 2. The investigation into the injury of 16-year-old Maël in Tours continues, following medical findings that his facial and head injuries were ‘compatible with the impact of an LBD-type defense ball’ used by law enforcement. The teenager has since lost the use of his right eye, and his family has filed a complaint for violence by a person holding public authority. These incidents occur amidst a broader wave of nationwide student protests in France that began in late September. Driven by grievances regarding teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and poor school facilities, the unrest has resulted in the disruption or blockade of approximately 413 educational institutions. Government reports indicate that 24 schools have been vandalized or set on fire, and 78 education workers have been injured since the demonstrations commenced. Recent figures suggest at least 190 student injuries have occurred to date. Parallel investigations are being conducted by the Inspection Générale de la Police Nationale (IGPN) regarding severe injuries to minors in other regions. In Lens, a 15-year-old student suffered a permanent hand mutilation following the explosion of a police grenade. While a police union source suggests the teenager may have picked up a sting-ball grenade to throw it back, the prosecutor of Béthune, Etienne Thieffry, stated it remains unconfirmed whether the boy picked up the device or if it fell on him. Following the incident in Lens, Auguste-Béhal high school transitioned to remote learning. Political leaders have reacted to the violence, with some calling for a review of police crowd-control doctrines and others accusing political groups of inciting unrest. ## Claims - The 15-year-old student lost his hand following an explosion in Lens. (corroborated by 13 sources) - The IGPN has been seized regarding the offense of violence resulting in permanent mutilation in Lens. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The prosecutor has not yet determined if the 15-year-old picked up the grenade or if it fell on him. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN) is conducting an investigation into the incidents. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The eye injuries of a 16-year-old student are compatible with the impact of an LBD defense round. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The family of the teenager has filed a complaint for violence by a person holding public authority. (corroborated by 6 sources) - A police union source reported the student appeared to have picked up a sting-ball grenade fired by riot police. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Minister of Education Édouard Geffray stated at least 190 students have been injured since the protests began. (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-03: Lens: 15-year-old student loses hand during French student protests A 15-year-old student lost a hand during student protests in Lens, France. The incident has triggered an IGPN investigation amid nationwide demonstrations over school conditions. 50 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tours-student-loses-eye-during-school-blockade-family-files-complaint ### 2026-09-30: Tours police investigation launched after youth injured by possible LBD The IGPN is investigating a young man's head injury in Tours, France, which medical exams suggest is compatible with an LBD defense ball impact during a student protest. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tours-police-investigation-launched-after-youth-injured-by-possible-lbd --- Cite as: Police investigations into student injuries in Tours and Len. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/police-investigation-into-student-injury-in-tours