(6 Mar 1997) Natural Sound
As civil unrest continues in Albania, hundreds of families are attempting to flee the fighting for the safety of neighbouring Greece.
Greece has stepped up security patrols along its border in a bid to control the influx of Albanians.
A helicopter keeps an eye from then air on the growing numbers of Albanians gathering at the border with Greece.
The border crossing between southern Albania and Greece has become the focal point for Albanians hoping to leave behind the turmoil of growing civil unrest.
Women and children lined up against the gates, waiting to be let through.
At the border entry point of Kakavia, Greek police stepped up security and checked bags.
Those fleeing Albania fear worsening troubles after the government imposed a state of emergency five days ago.
On Wednesday, there were signs of the unrest escalating, with Albanian jets bombing a town in the south of the country and armed clashes with soldiers.
But on Thursday President Sali Berisha for the first time invited and met with leaders of all opposition parties in an apparent attempt to resolve the crisis.
The protests in the south were triggered by the collapse of pyramid investment funds in which nearly every Albanian lost money.
So far the unrest has claimed at least 20 lives.
With no signs of the trouble abating, many Albanians believe the only solution is to try to cross into neighbouring countries.
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