France urges citizens to leave Tokyo area

PARIS (Reuters) - France recommended its citizens leave the Tokyo region on Sunday, citing the risk of further earthquakes and uncertainty over damaged nuclear plants.

A statement on the website of the French embassy in Japan noted that Japan's meteorological office saw a 70 percent chance of a strong fresh aftershock in the north of the Kanto (Tokyo) region in the next three days.

"It seems reasonable to advise those who do not have a particular reason to stay in the Tokyo region to leave the Kanto region for a few days," it said.

"We strongly advise our nationals not to travel to Japan and we strongly recommend delaying any journey planned."

Britain and Germany advised nationals against non-essential travel to areas affected by Friday's earthquake and a tsunami that is estimated to have killed more than 10,000 people.

Japanese authorities were battling on Sunday to avert a meltdown at three nuclear reactors that were crippled by the earthquake.

Authorities and many scientists say the reactors are likely to be brought under control, with a negligible risk of radiation danger.

The French embassy said the other scenario was that one of them could explode, releasing a radioactive plume of smoke.

"This plume could reach Tokyo within a few hours, depending on the direction and speed of the wind," its statement said. "The risk is that of contamination."

"The coming three to four days will be critical," it added.

The embassy said its citizens living near the nuclear reactors should remain at home, with air conditioning switched off and wear breathing masks if they have to go outside.

(Reporting by James Regan and Jean-Baptiste Vey)