Armenia says more than 6,500 people have fled across the border, amid fears of persecution and ethnic cleansing. Now, there are reports of a large explosion at an oil depot as people queued up to fill up their cars to leave. Its believed some 200 people were injured as a result. The territory is at the heart of one of the worlds longest running territorial and ethnic conflicts. Its recognised internationally as part of azerbaijan, but has been controlled by Ethnic Armenians for three decades. Bbc russian s Nataliya Zotova sent this report from goris near the border between armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. The exodus of refugees started late sunday night. Some arrived in the border town of goris in ambulances exhausted, too weak to walk on their own. With a few belongings they could transport, families that crossed had lost all hope of ever returning. Translation we went to the airport. Everyone was collected in one spot. Everyone was in a terrible state. Stressed out. Children crying. Old
Welcome to the programme. Starting with the big developing story a growing number of Ethnic Armenian refugees have been leaving Nagorno Karabakh after azerbaijans seizure of this disputed region last week. Roads leading towards the Armenian Border are jammed with traffic, and armenians say they fear persecution and ethnic cleansing. Armenia says about 6,650 people have crossed the border so far. Our reporter Natasha Zotova is on the ground, and sent in this update. We are in this village right on the border between armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. We can see the refugees coming through the border to armenia. Here in this tent, they are being registered. People are fleeing with their belongings because they are afraid theyjust dont believe they can be safe in Nagorno Karabakh under azerbaijan role. Some people told me they dont expect to get home ever, azerbaijan is promising not to target civilians and to respect the rights of Ethnic Armenians living in the region. The problem is, lack of