[REVISION HISTORY]

Seasonal Turkish diaspora return migration

Updated 10 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-09-27 05:36 UTC → 2026-10-03 06:03 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Turkish migrant workers and expatriates living in Europe have continued their seasonal return journeys following summer vacations in Turkey. This movement has caused significant traffic congestion at several key border crossings, including Kapıkule, Hamzabeyli, Pazarkule, and İpsala. As the travel season nears its end, Edirne Governor Yunus Sezer reported that approximately 3.7 million passengers and 1 million vehicles have passed through four border gates since the season began on June 22. ~~On August 27, the Kapıkule Border Crossing recorded a three-year high for vehicle exits,~~ By late September and early October, significant truck congestion emerged at Bulgarian border crossings with ~~5,587 vehicles passing through in a single day. Despite~~ Turkey. At the ~~high volume, average waiting times~~ Kapitan Andreevo checkpoint, queues of approximately 18 kilometers have ~~decreased~~ formed, attributed to ~~27 minutes, down~~ ongoing reconstruction work that has reduced daily processing capacity by an average of 30%. Customs reports indicate that while approximately 2,100 trucks were processed in a 24-hour period, this is a notable decrease from ~~39 minutes~~ the ~~previous year, due to improved coordination with Bulgarian authorities. However, peak travel periods on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays can still result in waiting periods of up~~ nearly 3,000 trucks handled prior to ~~two hours. By early September, heavy traffic was reported~~ the repairs. Additionally, queues at the ~~Kapitan Andreevo~~ Lesovo border crossing ~~between Bulgaria and Turkey, specifically affecting~~ have exceeded 7 kilometers, where narrow roads have increased accident risks. Congestion is further compounded by roadwork on the ~~entrance for light vehicles. Additionally,~~ Maritsa motorway in the ~~Kalotina crossing with Serbia has reported heavy~~ Haskovo region, resulting in single-lane traffic ~~for exiting light vehicles.~~ and speed limits near Kapitan Andreevo. Other regional restrictions include bridge-related limitations on route II-99 near Tsarevo and weight restrictions on route II-53 between Yambol and Sredets. While traffic remains normal at borders with Greece, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Romania, ~~and the Ruse-Giurgiu bridge has returned to normal following repairs,~~ Danube River ferry ~~connections face ongoing disruptions. The Silistra–Kichu ferry remains suspended due to a technical malfunction, while the Oryahovo–Becket~~ connections—specifically Oryahovo–Bechet and ~~Svishtov–Zimnice connections remain closed~~ Svishtov–Zimnicea—remain suspended due to low water levels in the river. To address ongoing congestion, Turkish and Bulgarian officials have conducted a joint field inspection for the ‘Kapıkule/Kapitan Andreevo-North’ customs gate project. This initiative aims to increase border crossing capacity by approximately 25 percent through infrastructure upgrades, including additional lanes for trucks and passenger vehicles, new bus terminals, and automated passenger registration lanes. By late September, significant truck congestion emerged at Bulgarian border crossings with Turkey. levels.

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