Number of Protection Candidates in Bulgaria Nearly Doubled in August

Migrants who sought protection in Bulgaria have nearly doubled in numbers over the past month compared to July, statistics show.

In June and July, the number was 1424 and 1543, respectively.

As many as 2776 people from 18 states have applied for humanitarian or refugee status in that period, the State Agency for Refugees (DAB) has announced on its website.

The agency has granted 19 refugee status requests from nationals or two countries and 43 humanitarian applications from nationals of one country in August. The figures include stateless persons.

Other 213 requests from nationals of 13 states (stateless persons included) have been declined.

The numbers, added to the yearly figure so far, mean 12 164 people have sought protection in Bulgaria since January of this year.

As many as 376 people have been granted refugee status and 302 humanitarian status requests have been accepted for the same period. A total of 597 applications have been declined.

The number does not include foreign nationals who crossed into or out of the country without being registered.

Overall, Afghan nationals outnumbered by far protection seekers from other countries between January and August, their number standing at 5756.

Second come Iraqi nationals (3405), followed by Syrian nationals (1456), applicants from Pakistan (1080) and Iran (255).

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