French nuclear vets given right to be compensated

3:50 pm on 13 April 2017
Picture taken in 1971, showing a nuclear explosion in Mururoa atoll.

Picture taken in 1971, showing a nuclear explosion in Mururoa atoll. Photo: AFP

A French court has given eight nuclear test veterans the right to be compensated for ill health because of radiation exposure in French Polynesia.

AFP reports that the court in Nantes found that the defence ministry failed to prove that the eight were not at risk.

Five applications for compensation, which had been lodged six years ago, were rejected.

Those concerned have been told to wait for the compensation law amendments to take effect.

Last month, the same court approved 12 compensation claims.

Only about two percent of claimants have had their applications approved under the terms of the Morin Law.

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