Thirty-one migrants who travelled in a truck registered in Romania were held Sunday night near Malko Tarnovo, at the Bulgarian-Turkish border. A Turkish man was driving the car, said Deian Mollov, deputy director of the regional border police, reports local Mediafax.

The Bulgarian Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev said that the pressure from immigrants was expected to grow during winter months.

“If it’s necessary, we are ready to assist the Turkish-Bulgarian border guards and strengthen the troop presence there,” said Nenchev.

Asked whether the army would use force and firearms, Nenchev replied that this would only happen if the defense couldn’t be provided anymore.

The refugee pressure has also increased at the border between Serbia and Croatia, as thousands of migrants have been pouring into Serbia on their way to Western Europe. Croatia decided on Monday to temporarily open its border and allow 2,000 to 3,000 refugees to pass.

Both Croatia and Hungary have closed their borders with Serbia. Hungary raised a fence at the borders with Serbia and Croatia to make sure no refugees would pass.

editor@romania-insider.com