# Security breaches at Pastrigor transit center

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/security-breaches-at-pastrigor-transit-center
> Updated: 2026-08-28T13:09:48.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

Security breaches have occurred at a closed-type transit center in the village of Pastrigor, Bulgaria. In July, a single individual escaped the facility and stole the personal vehicle of the local mayor, Ilya Iliev, before being pursued by police toward Sofia.

In late August, a larger group of approximately twelve migrants, primarily Moroccan nationals, escaped the center by removing window bars and scaling the outer fence. While three individuals were caught in the courtyard and ten others were subsequently detained following a search operation by local and border police, two individuals remained at large. 

Reports indicate that although the Ministry of Interior had issued directives to the State Agency for Refugees to reinforce security measures, such as installing additional fencing and strengthening window bars, most of these requirements had not been implemented prior to the August escape.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-28: Migrants escape from Pastrogr transit center in Bulgaria

Twelve migrants escaped from a closed transit center in Pastrogr, Bulgaria. Ten have been detained by police, while two remain missing following a breach of the facility's security measures.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/migrants-escape-from-pastrogr-transit-center-in-bulgaria

### 2026-07-31: Refugee steals mayor's car after escaping transit centre in Pastrigor, Bulgaria

A refugee escaped Pastrigor transit centre, stole mayor Ilya Iliev's car and was tracked to the Trakia highway; police investigate amid local security concerns.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/refugee-steals-mayors-car-after-escaping-transit-centre-in-pastrigor-bulgaria

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Cite as: Security breaches at Pastrigor transit center. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/security-breaches-at-pastrigor-transit-center