Foreign nationals evacuate Niger as regional tensions rise after coup

France, Italy and Spain all announced evacuations for their citizens and other Europeans in the Niger capital, Niamey following the military coup that took place last week

Foreign nationals lined up outside an airport in Niger's capital on August 2 to wait for a French military evacuation flight, while a regional bloc continued talks about its response to the military coup that took place last week.

France, Italy and Spain all announced evacuations for their citizens and other Europeans in the capital, Niamey, following concerns that they could become trapped after soldiers detained President Mohamed Bazoum and seized power.

The United States has yet to announce plans for an evacuation, but some of its citizens have left with the help of the Europeans.

Also read | African Union, EU up pressure on Niger coup leaders

France’s first two flights evacuated more than 350 French nationals, as well as people from Niger and at least 10 other countries, the French Foreign Ministry said. The Paris airport authority said two more evacuation flights are scheduled to land Wednesday afternoon.

Some 1,200 French citizens are registered at the French embassy, said the Foreign Ministry, and about half have asked to be evacuated.

An Italian military aircraft landed in Rome on Wednesday with 99 passengers, including 21 Americans and civilians from other countries, said the Italian defense minister.