Algeria begins first partial cleanup of French-era nuclear test site in Sahara

Algeria has begun partial cleanup operations for the first time at a Sahara Desert site contaminated by French nuclear tests carried out during the colonial era in the 1960s. The decontamination effort, focused on the In Ekker site, follows years of preparation and addresses lasting environmental and health damage from tests conducted by France, which Algeria considers crimes against humanity.

Algeria has reportedly commenced partial cleanup operations for the first time at one of the locations in the Sahara Desert where nuclear tests were carried out during the period of French colonial rule in the 1960s. This development marks a significant step in addressing the long-standing environmental and health consequences linked to the nuclear testing program conducted decades ago.
According to Algeria’s official news agency APS, the government initiated the cleanup activities to coincide with the 66th anniversary of the French nuclear tests. These tests are widely believed to have contaminated extensive areas of land and to have caused long-term health problems among local communities living in and around the affected zones. The launch of the cleanup effort is seen as both symbolic and practical, reflecting Algeria’s continued demand for accountability and remediation.
France reportedly carried out at least 17 nuclear tests in Algeria’s Sahara Desert between 1960 and 1966, a period during which Algeria was still under French colonial administration. Algerian authorities have consistently described these nuclear tests as war crimes and crimes against humanity, arguing that they were committed against the Algerian people without adequate regard for human life or environmental safety.
The cleanup operations, which follow years of planning and technical preparation, are being implemented using Algeria’s own national resources. Particular focus has been placed on the “Taourirt Tan Afella – In Ekker” site located in Tamanrasset Province. Officials have described the initiative as the first partial decontamination effort undertaken at the French nuclear test sites known as “Peril,” underscoring its historic nature.
The commencement of the work was publicly announced through a documentary titled Algerians in the Heart of Challenges, which was released by the Information and Communication Directorate of the Algerian Ministry of Defense. The documentary provides insight into the scale of the damage caused by the nuclear tests and the complexity of the ongoing decontamination process.
According to the documentary, the In Ekker area was previously the site of an underground nuclear explosion with an estimated force equivalent to about 150,000 tons of TNT. It further revealed that radioactive gas leaks following the explosion caused severe harm to the surrounding ecosystem. The report noted that the region continues to be affected by radioactive substances, including Cesium-137 and plutonium, posing persistent risks to both the environment and human health.
The decontamination process was launched only after extensive health and environmental risk assessments were carried out by Algerian experts. The documentary explained that a “partial decontamination camp” has been established at the site, with the aim of using it as a reference model for the rehabilitation of other contaminated nuclear test locations across the country.
Specialized equipment has reportedly been deployed to the area to collect, manage, and store nuclear waste in specially constructed concrete containers designed to prevent further contamination. However, the cleanup has been complicated by the absence of detailed maps and technical archives, which were not provided by French authorities, making it more difficult to accurately identify and isolate radioactive zones.
Nuclear physics researcher Ammar Mansuri, who appeared in the documentary, stated that the decontamination work is continuing under the close supervision of Algerian specialists. He explained that the process is being guided by ongoing evaluations of environmental pollution levels and potential health risks to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the operations.
Algeria also continues to observe annual commemorative ceremonies every February 13 to mark the anniversary of France’s first nuclear test in 1960 in the Reggane Desert, located in Adrar Province. That initial test, codenamed Gerboise Bleue, is believed to have been approximately five times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, highlighting the immense destructive force involved and the lasting legacy of the nuclear testing program.