Latvia and Lithuania detect migrant tunnels along Belarus border
Authorities in Latvia and Lithuania have reported an increase in illegal migration attempts via underground tunnels dug along the borders with Belarus. In Latvia, the first such tunnel was discovered near the Silene Border Guard Unit, leading to the detention of 15 migrants. In response, Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs announced 'Operation Vilkatis' to curb illegal crossings, which includes increased drone surveillance and potential ground-scanning technology to detect further passages.
In Lithuania, border guards have discovered at least three tunnels near the village of Latežeris in early August. Lithuanian officials have recorded 12 attempts to enter the country through underground passages so far this year. Authorities in Vilnius, along with officials in Latvia and Poland, have accused the Belarusian government of orchestrating the migration crisis to destabilize the European Union.
The discovered tunnels are typically shallow, reinforced with wooden props and branches, and located close to existing border fences.
Entities
Andris Kulbergs · Belarus · European Union · Janis Dombrava · Latvia · Latvian State Border Guard · Lithuania
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 6 SOURCES] Lithuanian border guards discovered three tunnels near the village of Latežeris in early August. www.gbnews.com · pmo.ee · bnn-news.com · bnn.lv · www.la.lv · +1 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The first migrant tunnel has been discovered in Latvia near the Silene Border Guard Unit. bnn-news.com · bnn.lv · www.la.lv · kurier.at · www.krone.at · +3 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland accuse Belarus of orchestrating the migration crisis to destabilize the EU. www.gbnews.com · www.krone.at · kurier.at · pmo.ee · bnn-news.com · +2 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Latvian officials are exploring the use of ground-scanning technology to detect more tunnels. bnn-news.com · bnn.lv · kurier.at · www.krone.at · pmo.ee · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Fifteen migrants were detained for illegally crossing the border via the tunnel. www.la.lv · kurier.at · www.krone.at · www.europesays.com · pmo.ee · +3 more
- [DISPUTED] Lithuania has recorded 12 attempts to enter the country via underground tunnels this year. www.gbnews.com · pmo.ee · bnn-news.com · bnn.lv · www.la.lv · +1 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Latvia has launched Operation Vilkatis to curb illegal migration. bnn-news.com · bnn.lv · www.krone.at · pmo.ee · www.la.lv · +2 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The tunnel was found approximately ten meters from the border fence. kurier.at · www.krone.at · www.la.lv