Algeria has launched a new cleanup operation at the Beryl 2E underground nuclear test site in In Ekker, Sahara, as part of efforts to address the environmental legacy of France’s nuclear testing programme in the country.
The operation focuses on the In Ekker and Reggane nuclear test areas, where France conducted its first nuclear test, Gerboise Bleue, in 1960. France continued nuclear testing in Algeria after independence in 1962, with the final test taking place in 1966.
Key developments:
- Algerian authorities are conducting rehabilitation work at former nuclear test sites, including the Beryl 2E tunnel area, while mapping affected locations and assessing environmental risks.
- Algeria has continued to seek detailed records and maps relating to buried waste sites and radioactive zones to support cleanup efforts.
- France has said it provided available information on buried waste and radiologically marked areas, while Algerian authorities have called for further documentation.
- France conducted 17 nuclear tests in Algeria between 1960 and 1966, including Gerboise Bleue at Reggane and underground tests at In Ekker.
The issue remains part of broader discussions between Algeria and France regarding historical responsibilities and the environmental consequences of the colonial era.
ℹ️ Business Insider Africa, Anadolu Agency