More Migrants Leaving Bulgaria's Accommodation Centers

Twice as many migrants left state-owned accommodation facilities in Bulgaria compared to the rate in September, according to recent statistics.

More than 500 went out of the centers in the first week of October, while newcomers were 400, Interior Ministry data suggests.

There are more than 5000 people in the facilities, which are currently working beyond their capacities.

As many as 9000 migrants have been detained on the border between Bulgaria and Serbia since the year began, statistics also show.

The result comes as Serbia has enforced border controls with Bulgaria and Macedonia, vowing to send back to the respective countries all migrants who cross irregularly, amid fears these may end up locked within its own boundaries as neighboring Hungary has stepped up border security.

An increased number of migrants stay in Bulgaria, a trend observed since this spring, Capital's weekend edition quotes Deputy Interior Minister Philip Gounev as saying.

The closure of the so-called Western Balkans route, security measures stepped up by Bulgarian authorities and the intervention of EU border officers are among the factors.

Gounev has argued the number of unregistered migrants who have crossed the country and have left successfully is on the decline - data suggesting his institution is applying an effective control.

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