Kyrgyzstan has shut down its border with Uzbekistan as hundreds of Uzbeks try to flee deadly violence in the eastern city of Andijon.
Uzbek troops fired into a crowd of anti-government demonstrators Friday. Authorities have not said how many civilians were killed, but witnesses and human rights groups put the number in the hundreds.
Authorities have ordered journalists out of the city. About 500 Uzbeks crossed into Kyrgyzstan Saturday before authorities sealed the border, which prompted more protests. A number of police cars were set on fire. There is no word on casualties.
Uzbek President Islam Karimov blames Friday's violence on Islamic militants. He says no one ordered troops to fire on protesters and said authorities did everything to avoid bloodshed. Many Western governments, including the United States, have long accused Uzbekistan of chronic human rights violations.