Niger coup: First UK nationals safely out of the country – FO says

British nationals have safely left Niger on a French flight to Paris, with only a “very small number” left in the country, the Foreign Office said. 

It did not say how many Brits were on the flight – but there have been claims there were less than 100 British nationals in the country. 

Niger has been swept by violence following a military coup. 

Yesterday the UK government was advising British nationals to stay inside, whilst France and Italy had already begun their evacuations. 

Those who were evacuated first were people who had requested to leave Niger and were able to make their way to the airport in time for this flight. 

A statement from the Foreign Office said: “The UK’s ambassador and a core team remain in Niger to support the very small number of British nationals who are still there. We are grateful to the French for their help in this evacuation.”

The government has announced it is temporarily reducing the number of staff at its embassy in Niger’s capital, Niamey.