The figures are based on the foundation's 'Nuclear Power Atlas,' which counts the number of people living within a 150-kilometer (93-mile) radius of each of the 17 nuclear power stations in Germany - putting them in immediate danger in the event of a nuclear accident.

Between 5.4 million and 11.8 million people were counted within the various zones, which cover most of the western and southern regions of Germany. The city of Bremen, within 150 kilometers of six nuclear powers stations, is particularly at risk.

According to a foundation statement, the numbers are considered conservative, as "in the case of a big accident a lot more people could be affected by the radioactive fallout." Foundation board member Hans Guenter Schumacher concluded, "It's not just irresponsible, but inhuman that nuclear power stations continue to be operated in a country as densely populated as Germany when millions of people could be endangered by an accident."

Government plans

The coalition government of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) has recently declared that it is prepared to extend the life-spans of a number of nuclear power stations that were previously scheduled to be shut down. Details are to be negotiated in the coming months.

But the foundation called for the seven oldest German nuclear power stations to be closed immediately: Biblis A and B in Hesse, Brunsbuettel in Schleswig-Holstein, Neckarwestheim 1 und Philippsburg 1 in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Isar 1 in Bavaria und Unterweser in Lower Saxony. The environmental group also demanded that renewable energy be given priority in the law-making process.

Chancellor Angela Merkel has invited the chairmen of the main German energy companies, Eon, RWE, EnBW and Vattenfall, to her office on Thursday for a meeting to discuss the country's energy policy. The state intends to take some energy company profits and invest them in the development of solar, water and wind power.

bk/AFP/dpa
Editor: Rob Turner