Bulgaria border police chief fired as migrant numbers rise

Sofia: Bulgaria`s government on Tuesday sacked the head of the border police and 25 customs officials, as it struggles with a sharp rise in migrants trying to enter the EU member state.

"We have little reason to be proud regarding our struggle against illegal immigration and smuggling," said senior interior ministry official George Kostov as he announced the decision.

The new border police chief, Antonio Angelov, said that "all resources will be mobilised against illegal immigration and contraband."

This year some 5,000 migrants, mostly Syrians, have crossed into Bulgaria from Turkey despite a 30-kilometre (20-mile) barrier topped with razor wire and thousands of extra border guards, authorities say.

Many hide in trains, buses and trucks, making it through despite thermal cameras being installed at the Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint, the main crossing point.

Large volumes of contraband cigarettes made in Russia and China also pass through on their way to the rest of the European Union, in particular Germany, officials say.