World · Europe · 4 hrs ago
Video shows possible grenade exploding in Clermont-Ferrand crowd
During a protest in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Habib filmed an object that appeared to fall from the sky into a crowd.
He says it bounced and exploded, and his video has been widely shared online.
A man suffered a serious injury to his hand and was taken for treatment.
Habib says the injured man was struck by the explosion, but officials have not confirmed the link.
The gathering was banned in the city centre, and some protesters later tried to enter it.
The prefecture reported other injuries and at least six arrests after incidents including objects thrown at security forces and rubbish-bin fires.
A prosecutor has opened an investigation into the hand injury, and the circumstances remain unclear.
A video filmed at a Clermont-Ferrand demonstration on October 24 appears to show an object that may be a grenade falling into a crowd and exploding.
A demonstrator was seriously injured in the hand and was taken to hospital, but authorities said the circumstances of the injury were not yet known.
The video’s maker, Habib, said the object exploded near the injured person and that he helped move him to a nearby alley for treatment.
The prosecutor opened an investigation into the hand injury.
The prefecture reported other injuries and at least six arrests after incidents at the demonstration.
- Who
- A demonstrator was seriously injured in the hand. Video-maker Habib said he witnessed the explosion.
- What
- A possible grenade fell into a crowd and exploded, according to the video and Habib’s account; a demonstrator was seriously injured.
- When
- October 24, 2026. Habib said he filmed the incident at 16:09.
- Where
- Place de Jaude in Clermont-Ferrand, France.
- Why
- Not stated. Authorities said it was too early to determine the circumstances of the injury.
Witnesses, including Habib
Authorities
Cause of the hand injury
Witnesses, including Habib
Habib said the object he filmed exploded near the injured demonstrator and caused the injury. Other witnesses also linked the injury to a grenade.
Authorities
Officials said the circumstances of the injury were not yet known; the link had not been officially confirmed.
An authorized march took place outside Clermont-Ferrand’s city centre, which was closed to gatherings.
Habib said he filmed an object falling into the crowd at Place de Jaude.
A demonstrator with a serious hand injury was taken into care by emergency services.
Groups of demonstrators split off, incidents were reported and the prefecture counted at least six arrests.
France 3 Régions reported that the prosecutor had opened an investigation into the hand injury.
- Incident date
- October 24, 2026
- Reported location
- Place de Jaude, Clermont-Ferrand
- Time recalled by Habib
- 16:09
- Hand injury
- One demonstrator seriously injured
- Video views
- Several million on X, according to France 3 Régions
- Arrests
- At least six, according to the prefecture of Puy-de-Dôme
3 sources
Mobilisation du 24 octobre à Clermont-Ferrand : quelles sont les suites judiciaires ?
"On ne pourra pas dire qu'il l'a ramassée" : l’auteur de la vidéo virale de la "grenade tombée du ciel" à Clermont-Ferrand témoigne
Manifestation du 24 octobre: une personne gravement blessée à la main à Clermont-Ferrand
What people are saying
I saw it coming from the sky
The device bounced and then exploded, and the man was trying to flee
It is still too early to determine the circumstances of this injury