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

Constitutional Court building

Constitutional Court opens case following President Radev’s request for the constitutional changes to be annulled

The Constitutional Court has opened a case following the request by President Rumen Radev for the amendments to the Constitution, endorsed by the 49 th National Assembly, to be declared unconstitutional. These amendments concern the lifting of the..

published on 11/22/24 9:13 AM

Stormy winds, highs ranging from 6 to 20 degrees

On Friday, the wind from the south will increase and will be moderate and strong, near the northern slopes of the mountains of southern Bulgaria stormy wind is expected Clouds will be patchy, significant over the western areas, but will quickly begin..

published on 11/21/24 7:35 PM

A shortage of electricity is expected at the beginning of next year

According to an analysis by the Electricity System Operator, a shortage of electricity is expected as early as January and February next year. At a thematic conference organized by the Center for the Study of Democracy in Sofia, Delyan Dobrev from..

published on 11/21/24 6:09 PM