Two illegal female migrants have died of cold exposure near Malko Tarnovo, in southeastern Bulgaria close to the border with Turkey, Nova TV reported on Sunday.

Bulgarian border police found a group of 19 illegal migrants including 12 children in a forest area of Strandzha mountain near Malko Tarnovo where the snow cover was more than 30 centimeters thick late on Saturday.

Two women and 11 children were sent to hospital with frostbite of second and third degree.

Third-degree frostbite, one level milder than the most serious fourth degree, corresponds to deep frostbite affecting not only the skin but the fatty tissue beneath it as well.

According to Bulgaria’s Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova the two deceased female migrants were of Afghan origin, Nova TV said.

According to unconfirmed reports a 15-year old child has also died, Nova TV said.