Algeria begins partial cleanup of French colonial-era nuclear test sites

​​​​​​​By Abbas Mimouni and Esat Firat

ISTANBUL (AA) - Algeria has reportedly begun, for the first time, partial cleanup operations at one of the sites in the Sahara Desert where nuclear tests were conducted during the French colonial era in the 1960s.

The government launched cleanup operations on the 66th anniversary of French nuclear tests, which contaminated vast areas and caused lasting health problems for the local population, according to Algeria’s official news agency APS.

The operations, initiated after years of planning and preparation, are being carried out using national resources, particularly at the "Taourirt Tan Afella - In Ekker" site in Tamanrasset Province.

The move is described as the first partial decontamination step at the French "Peril" nuclear test sites.

The start of the work was announced through a documentary titled, “Algerians in the Heart of Challenges,” released by the Information and Communication Directorate of the Algerian Ministry of Defense.

The documentary reported that the In Ekker area previously experienced an underground explosion equivalent to approximately 150,000 tons of TNT, and radioactive gas leaks caused serious damage to the ecosystem.

It also noted that the region remains affected by radioactive materials such as Cesium-137 and plutonium, and the decontamination process was initiated after comprehensive health and environmental risk assessments conducted by Algerian experts.

The documentary highlighted that the “partial decontamination camp” set up at the site is intended to serve as a model for rehabilitating other test sites.

Special equipment has been sent to the site to collect and store nuclear waste in specially designed concrete containers. The lack of maps and technical archives not provided by French authorities has made it difficult to identify radioactive areas.

Nuclear physics researcher Ammar Mansuri, featured in the documentary, stated that the decontamination process is ongoing under the supervision of Algerian experts and based on evaluations of environmental pollution and health risks.

-Nuclear tests

France reportedly conducted at least 17 nuclear tests in Algeria’s Sahara Desert between 1960 and 1966.

Algeria demands the identification of nuclear waste locations and compensation for victims and those left with permanent disabilities, but France rejects the claims.

Algeria holds commemorative ceremonies every Feb. 13, marking the anniversary of France’s first nuclear test in 1960 in the Reggane Desert, Adrar Province.

The test, codenamed “Gerboise Bleue,” is said to have been about five times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

The Algerian government considers the nuclear tests war crimes and crimes against humanity, committed against the Algerian people during the French colonial period.

In December, the Algerian Parliament approved a bill criminalizing French colonial rule from 1830 to 1962, including nuclear tests among 30 categories of crimes.