Student protests in France turn violent

Tens of thousands of students took to the streets in several French cities this week to demand increased funding for education. Demonstrations were organised by university and secondary‑school student unions and were reported to have gathered large crowds in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other urban centres.

The protests, which began peacefully, escalated into violent clashes in multiple locations. Police deployed crowd‑control measures, including the use of tear‑gas canisters and flash‑bang devices, as demonstrators attempted to breach police lines and block access to university campuses.

In one of the more serious incidents, a teenage protester suffered a severe injury after a police‑issued grenade detonated near him. The explosion resulted in the loss of the teen’s hand, prompting concerns from medical personnel and human‑rights observers about the safety of crowd‑control tactics.

French interior ministry officials confirmed that law‑enforcement units were acting in accordance with established protocols to restore order, and they announced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the grenade explosion. The ministry also reiterated its commitment to dialogue with student representatives on the funding issue.

The unrest follows a broader wave of student activism across Europe, with French authorities indicating that negotiations on education financing will continue while maintaining public order. The situation remains fluid, and further demonstrations are expected as students press for concrete policy changes.