MADRID (Reuters) – The Spanish government is preparing to evacuate more than 70 Spaniards in Niger by air after the military seized power in the West African country, according to the Defence Ministry.
A spokesperson from the foreign ministry declined to provide further details about the operation, including whether Spain would be using its own aircraft, citing security concerns.
The decision to evacuate comes after France announced its plans to evacuate its own citizens, as well as citizens from other European Union countries, following Niger’s closure of its airspace and suspension of all commercial flights. Italy has also stated that it will send a special flight to repatriate its nationals from the capital, Niamey.
The Spanish foreign ministry has confirmed that embassy staff in Niamey have made contact with Spanish residents and visitors in order to coordinate the evacuation operation.
(Reporting by David Latona and Belén Carreño; Editing by Andrei Khalip and Angus MacSwan)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
