Military planes containing mostly European evacuees from Niger arrived in Paris and Rome on Wednesday morning. A military junta overthrew Niger's elected President Mohamed Bazoum and his government on July 26 in the seventh military takeover in less than three years in West and Central Africa. 

There are fears among European countries that the conflict could escalate further and so governments have moved quickly to evacuate their citizens to avoid them becoming caught up in the violence. France, who colonized Niger between 1922 and 1960, announced plans to evacuate civilians, along with Spain and Italy.

READ MORE

Why is the EU considering banning cigarette filters?

Why heatwaves cause crime waves

UK investigates defense emails sent to Mali by mistake

The first French flight left Niger on Tuesday evening and landed in Paris early on Wednesday with 262 people on board, according to Reuters journalists there. 

An Italian military plane carrying 87 evacuees also arrived in Rome at a similar time. The plane contained 36 Italians, as well as 21 U.S. citizens, four Bulgarians, two Austrians and one citizen each from Britain, Niger, Hungary, Senegal, and Nigeria  as well as military personnel.

"Things could have turned ugly but it still is nice to be back here," a French evacuee who gave his name as Charles told Reuters TV. "We will see how things evolve over there in the coming days and weeks. For us, who care about it quite a lot, we will follow this closely," he said.

France is expected to announce further evacuation flights in the coming weeks and there is a growing sense of urgency following a wave of anger towards the country in West Africa.

Such has been the level of dissent, France was forced to withdraw troops from Burkina Faso and Mali this year and last. Other European countries also have troops stationed in Niger, including the U.S., Italy and Germany, but none have announced plans to withdraw military personnel.

Subscribe to Storyboard: A weekly newsletter bringing you the best of CGTN every Friday