BAMAKO, Mali

Sustained gunfire and loud explosions were heard early Thursday near an airport in Niger’s capital, with authorities saying the situation is now under control.

An official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Anadolu there was no immediate cause for concern.

“The situation is under control. There is no need to worry,” they said.

The official added that a huge uranium shipment from northern Niger has been stuck at the airport for weeks and authorities were trying to determine whether this was linked to the gunfire.

No additional details are available, according to a statement posted on the Nigerien government’s account on the US social media company X’s platform.

Authorities said the situation was being assessed and that updates would be provided as soon as they become available.