Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Police reveal horrific details of migrant deaths near Sofia

Photo: Archive

The secret compartment of the timber truck in which the Afghan migrants died of suffocation was meant for 25-30 people. Out of greed, the traffickers crammed in 52, Borislav Sarafov, director of the National Investigative Service, told a news briefing. 

They transported the migrants from the Turkish border to the border with Serbia. The traffickers were paid between 5,000 and 7,000 euros via the hawala system. The driver took 100 euros per person and the leader - around 1,000 euros per person. 

The 6-member criminal group prepared the hiding places themselves, lined with foil so that body heat would not be detected by X-ray. After Trayanova Vrata mountain pass, the traffickers heard a thumping sound, but did not stop. The victims suffocated for between 30 and 60 minutes. Outside Sofia, the pounding intensified. The drivers stopped. Seeing the suffocating migrants and understanding that there were casualties, they fled.

On Friday police in Bulgaria discovered an abandoned truck containing the bodies of 18 migrants from Afghanista, who appeared to have suffocated to death inside a secret compartment under a load of lumber.


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Anton Zlatanov (L) and Hans Leijtens (R)

The migrant pressure on the Bulgarian-Turkish border descreases

The migrant pressure on the Bulgarian-Turkish border has decreased by 70% compared to last year, said Chief Commissioner Anton Zlatanov, Director of the General Directorate Border Police. Anton Zlatanov met with Frontex’s Executive Director Hans..

published on 8/27/24 5:18 PM

NSSI proposes reforms to secure Bulgaria's pension system

In 2023, there will be 68 pensioners per 100 insured workers in Bulgaria. By 2070, the ratio is expected to be 78 pensioners per 100 insured workers. This information comes from a 2024 report by the National Social Security Institute, which forecasts..

published on 8/27/24 3:55 PM
Atanas Ilkov

Newly appointed Interior Minister promises fair elections

The new caretaker Interior Minister, Atanas Ilkov, has promised that there will be no turmoil in the Interior Ministry. If there are any changes, they will be cosmetic, he said as he took over the ministry from caretaker minister Kalin Stoyanov...

published on 8/27/24 2:51 PM