18 migrants from Afghanistan died of suffocation in a truck near Sofia, the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior has reported. It is believed that there were more than 50 people in the truck. The bodies were found in the abandoned vehicle near the village of Lokorsko close to the capital city. A child aged 6 or 7 is among the victims. People were crammed hidden behind lumber, it was reported. 34 of the survivors, including 5 children, have been taken to hospitals for medical treatment.

"Some of the people hospitalized in the Pirogov Hospital in Sofia are in serious but not life-threatening condition. Everything needed for their recovery is being done,"  Minister of Health, Dr. Asen Medzhidiev, said at a briefing.

The minister also pointed out that immediately after the signal was received, six medical teams were sent from Sofia to the place of the tragedy.

The driver of the truck, who had escaped, is being wanted by police. The owner of the truck was arrested after he reported the vehicle stolen.