Bulgaria builds final part of razor wire fence to keep out refugees
The country has sealed its south eastern border with Turkey to stop migrants illegally crossing the border
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Bulgarian authorities have begun construction on a new section of razor wire fence which will seal along its border with Turkey to block the flow of people smugglers.
Local officials say the new part of the 15ft high, 5ft wide fence will deter criminal gangs exploiting desperate refugees escaping war and terror in Syria, Iraq and North Africa.
It is the final portion of the fence, which began construction in November 2013, which will completely seal Bulgaria off from Turkey.
The Bulgarian border chief Ivan Stoyanov told the Daily Mail: “Our operation has stopped more than 500 migrants from crossing in the last month alone.
“Half were arrested by our Turkish colleagues and half were sent back. The aim of the migrants is not Bulgaria. They often want to get to other European countries like Britain. They use us as a place of transit.”
The fence is monitored 24 hours a day by armed guards stationed at strategic points along its current length. Infra red, motion sensitive cameras detect migrants trying to sneak through overnight.
According to the Times, more than 11,000 people, mainly Syrians, attempted to illegally cross in Bulgaria from Turkey in 2013.
The country is perceived as an easy entry route back into the EU for Isis fighters and the terrorist group even declared it would be part of their plan to expand their “caliphate” last year.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments