The French nationals and other European citizens who have been evacuated from Niger, days after a junta seized power in the West African country, react as they arrive at the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in Roissy, near Paris, France, August 2, 2023. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

First plane of evacuated Europeans from Niger lands in Paris

The first plane carrying French nationals and citizens of other European countries evacuated from Niger landed in Paris on Wednesday,

Published on:

02 Aug 2023, 10:27 am

(Reuters) - The first plane carrying French nationals and citizens of other European countries evacuated from Niger landed in Paris on Wednesday, according to Reuters journalists at the airport.

The flight, which France chartered, left Niger on Tuesday evening to evacuate French and European nationals who wanted to leave the country, where a military junta overthrew Niger's democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on Tuesday that 262 people were onboard the aircraft.

Huguette, one of the French nationals and other European citizens, who have been evacuated from Niger, days after a junta seized power in the West African country, speaks to the media as she arrives at the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in Roissy, near Paris, France, August 2, 2023. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

Evacuations will continue on Wednesday, with French nationals advised to go to the international airport in Niamey, Niger's capital, according to the French foreign ministry website.

(Reporting by Shivani Tanna in Bengaluru; Editing by Sandra Maler)