NIAMEY, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Continuous gunfire was heard in the area surrounding Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, the capital of Niger, in the early hours of Wednesday.

Residents living near the airport told Xinhua that the gunfire appeared to originate from areas around the airport. No casualties have been reported so far.

The Nigerien military and government have not yet issued any official statement regarding the incident. The cause of the gunfire and the operational status of the airport remain to be confirmed.