A 15‑year‑old boy’s hand was blown off during a confrontation between police and demonstrators near a school in Lens, France, officials said.

The prefect of Pas‑de‑Calais, François‑Xavier Lauch, described the event as a "very serious incident" that occurred on Monday morning.

Lauch added that the teenager’s life was not in danger and that he was transferred quickly to a nearby hospital.

The incident happened close to the Auguste Béhal high school, where a larger gathering of students than on previous days had assembled, according to the prefect.

Police reported that students threw stones, fireworks and mortars at officers at the start of the morning, prompting the deployment of a riot police unit.

Regional media La Voix Du Nord suggested the boy may have been injured while handling a police stun grenade, though officials have not confirmed details.

A regional prosecutor announced that the General Inspection of the National Police (IGPN) will investigate the incident to clarify the circumstances.

Following the incident, the school announced a shift to distance learning and set up a listening and support unit for students and staff.

On the same day, around 500 schools across France were partially or fully closed amid ongoing student protests over school conditions and staffing.