On 17 February 2023, an abandoned lorry carrying illegal immigrants believed to be from Afghanistan as well as timber was discovered near Lokorsko, a village 12 miles north-east of Sofia in Sofia City Province, Bulgaria.[1][2]
Eighteen of the immigrants were dead and 34 others were taken to hospitals in Sofia.[1] The deceased died due to a combination of lack of oxygen in an enclosed space and difficulty breathing due to the tight quarters.[3] Bulgarian police arrested four people.[2] Six people were charged with human trafficking charges shortly after the discovery, which included the truck driver and his companion.[3]