Bulgarian emergency operators on the 112 helpline have helped rescue Bulgarian lorry drivers in France who found themselves caught in a midnight ordeal with migrants attempting to enter their vehicles illegally. The transport industry is warning that migrant pressure in the area around the French city of Calais has been increasing in recent months.
Two reports involving Bulgarian drivers surrounded by migrants trying to get into their vehicles have been received by the 112 emergency line since the beginning of the week. One came from the French city of Calais and the other from Dunkirk. Due to the language barrier, the drivers contacted a colleague in Bulgaria, who called for help.
Georgi Nikolov, Senior Expert, RC 112 – Sofia: “We gathered all the information. License plate number, location, where they were. We contacted the emergency number in France and established contact with them, passing on all the information. Our colleagues in France had determined that there were two migrants who had boarded the minibus in question and had been detained. We have to act relatively quickly. We can’t afford to delay. Every minute counts.”
The rapid response of the operators helped protect the Bulgarian driver. However, the transport sector warns that migrant pressure is increasing again.
Dimitar Dimitrov, Executive Director of the Chamber of the Bulgarian Road Hauliers: "There are two main problem areas in Europe. One is between Serbia and Croatia, at the Batrovci–Bajakovo crossing. The second is in France, at Calais."
Transport companies are required to secure cargo compartments with seals and safety cables, and serious fines are imposed for violations.
Dimitar Dimitrov: "A driver bears financial responsibility first, then criminal responsibility. Thirdly, they are responsible for their own health and life. In certain situations, tensions often escalate."
The 112 emergency service said that procedures for cross-border calls are almost identical to those used for incidents within Bulgaria.
Georgi Nikolov, Senior Expert, 112 Regional Centre – Sofia: "The most important thing is to collect complete information and, if possible, obtain coordinates, because this concerns another country with a completely different map."
The most common reports received by the service concern medical emergencies and domestic disputes. During the first six months of the year, the largest number of such calls came from Romania, Germany, Greece and France.
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