France suspends stun grenade use after student loses hand

Authorities said the teenager picked up an anti-encirclement grenade deployed by police before it exploded.

“Authorities said the teenager picked up an anti-encirclement grenade that had been deployed by police before it exploded”

Students alleged the boy was directly hit by a grenade fired by an officer.

“Students, however, alleged that the boy was directly hit by a grenade fired by an officer”

Police had been confronted by between 200 and 250 students throwing stones and fireworks.

“police had been confronted by between 200 and 250 students who were throwing stones and fireworks”

Nuñez said the police watchdog IGPN had opened 18 investigations into whether officers used proportionate force.

“Nuñez said the police watchdog, IGPN, had opened 18 investigations into whether officers used proportionate force during the demonstrations”

Nuñez told French radio RTL that there is a police action that raises questions.

“There is a police action that raises questions for all of us within the Ministry of the Interior; it’s what happened in Lens”

The use of stun grenades would remain suspended until the circumstances surrounding the incident had been established.

“He said the use of stun grenades would remain suspended until the circumstances surrounding the incident had been established”

More than 500 schools were fully or partially closed on Wednesday following Tuesday's nationwide protests.

“More than 500 schools were fully or partially closed on Wednesday following Tuesday’s nationwide protests”

The Interior Ministry said 488 people were arrested and 43 security officers injured during the demonstrations.

“The Interior Ministry said 488 people were arrested and 43 security officers injured during the demonstrations”

A 14-year-old boy was hit in the face by a tear-gas grenade last week in Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône, north-west of Paris.

“another incident last week in Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône, north-west of Paris, where a 14-year-old boy was hit in the face by a tear-gas grenade”

His lawyer said the teenager lost several teeth and suffered a fractured jaw.

“His lawyer said the teenager lost several teeth and suffered a fractured jaw”

A police officer has been charged in connection with the incident.

“A police officer has been charged in connection with the incident”

Prosecutors opened an attempted-murder investigation on Wednesday after a 17-year-old protester alleged a police officer held his head underwater near a river in Belfort.

“Prosecutors also opened an attempted-murder investigation on Wednesday after a 17-year-old protester alleged that a police officer held his head underwater while trying to arrest him near a river in Belfort”

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said 215 students, 85 school staff and 715 police officers had been injured since the demonstrations began in mid-September.

“Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has condemned violence during the protests, saying 215 students, 85 school staff and 715 police officers had been injured since the demonstrations began in mid-September”

More than 6,500 people have been stopped or arrested during the unrest, according to the Interior Ministry.

“More than 6,500 people have been stopped or arrested during the unrest, according to the Interior Ministry”

President Emmanuel Macron held an emergency meeting with Lecornu and other senior ministers on Tuesday.

“President Emmanuel Macron held an emergency meeting with Lecornu and other senior ministers on Tuesday”

Government figures estimated more than 250,000 people participated in Tuesday's demonstrations, while student unions put the turnout at around 450,000.

“Government figures estimated that more than 250,000 people participated in Tuesday’s demonstrations, while student unions put the turnout at around 450,000”

Further protests are planned for Thursday in Paris and other French cities.

“Further protests are planned for Thursday in Paris and other French cities”