LOC20:49
17:49 GMT
MADRID, March 18 (KUNA) -- The Spanish government has an airplane ready to
evacuate citizens wishing to leave Japan, Interior Minister Alfredo Perez
Rubalcaba said Friday, noting that the aircraft would leave Tokyo on Sunday.
Around 300 Spaniards have expressed desire to return to Spain following the
massive tsunami that was triggered by a nine-magnitude earthquake last Friday,
killing and wounding thousands of people as well as displacing many others,
Rubalcaba told a news conference.
He said the government was ready to send another plane if needed.
Rubalcaba advised Spanish citizens in Japan, estimated at around 3,000, to
stay beyond a 120-kilometer radius from the Fukushima nuclear reactor, and to
head south to avoid risk of radiation.
The Spanish government formed a commission last Tuesday to follow up the
situation in Japan following the devastating earthquake. (end)
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KUNA 182049 Mar 11NNNN