LOC18:19
15:19 GMT
PARIS, March 19 (KUNA) -- France said Saturday that it has evacuated 977 of
its remaining nationals in Japan, after the country was affected with a severe
earthquake and radiation leakage from damaged nuclear sites.
Some six flights over a two-day period were provided to French nationals,
who were still present in Japan, and were intending to return home, the French
Foreign Ministry said.
The French government had called onboard the services of the local police
air force amid additional efforts to bring the nationals home.
Japan was affected by a powerful 8.9-scale earthquake north of the country,
accompanied by a destructive tsunami, leaving thousands dead and injured.
The destruction also caused damage to nuclear plants in the area, resulting
in radiation leakage.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Friday pledged further assistance from
his government in aiding Japan's efforts to curb the effects of the Fukushima
nuclear plant disaster. (end)
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