First group of Afghan refugees arrives in Albania

Albanija
Tanjug/AP Photo/Franc Zhurda

Albanian Government said on Friday that the first group of Afghans who fled the country after the Taliban took over arrived in Tirana late last night.

The spokesperson did not give any more details. Before the plane landed, he said 171 Afghans were expected.

They are the first refugees that arrived in Western Balkans.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said his country could take in up to 4,000 refugees.

His Government added the Afghans could stay in Albania at least for a year, during which they would apply for special US visas.

Earlier, Pristina and Skopje said they would also take in some refugees from Afghanistan