First evacuation plane from Niger lands in France

The first flight to evacuate French and other European citizens from Niger landed in France in the early hours of August 2, Report informs referring to The National News.

France was the first country to help stranded nationals, two days after its embassy in Niamey was attacked by protesters following a military coup.

“There are 262 people on board the plane, an Airbus A330, including a dozen babies,” French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told AFP as the flight left Niger.

“Nearly all the passengers are compatriots” along with “some European nationals”, she said.

There were also Nigeriens, Portuguese, Belgians, Ethiopians and Lebanese on board, the Foreign Ministry said.