Paris  - Inspectors found that 100 people have been "slightly" contaminated near the French nuclear plant Tricastin, French media reported Wednesday.

The incident is the second incident at the plant this month.

Radioactive elements leaked from a hose. The nuclear regulatory authority (ASN) categorized the incident as level "0", and the director of the plant, Alain Peckre, described the incident as "inconsequential."

On July 7, some 75 kilograms of radioactive uranium leaked out of the Tricastin nuclear power plant and into two small nearby rivers. That incident was only reported to the authorities a day later.

Last Thursday, Environment Minister Jean-Louis Borloo called for an inspection of all of France's reactors and the surrounding groundwater.

France is one of the world's most nuclear-dependent countries, with 59 nuclear power plants supplying about 78 per cent of the country's electricity. (dpa)