Bulgaria's mission in Beijing refused to assist three Bulgarian students in China who wish to return home according to Bulgarian Darik radio.
Amid SARS hysteria in China, the embassy officials said the students couldn't have their travel expenses covered since they have enrolled in non-scholarship courses. All three of the students have been sent to China on state scholarships but went on private funding last year.
Bulgaria is ready to cover the cost of the return tickets merely for exchange students and those on scholarships as SARS epidemic escalates in China. Meanwhile the ticket prices in China ran up over the disease scare.
The three students come from northern Bulgarian cities of Shumen and Russe.