While tunnels have been found previously in Lithuania, as reported by Baltic media, this marks the first occasion one has facilitated crossing into Latvia.
“This is the first recorded instance of a tunnel being employed for illegal entry into Latvia. No prior indications of violations were noted at this specific site, nor had there been any detentions for illegal crossings there,” Dombrava stated on X.
Authorities have sent all 15 individuals back to their “country of departure” and continue to examine the surrounding area near the tunnel.
On Tuesday, Latvia initiated an operation to enhance border security. Dombrava referred to illegal crossings from Belarus as a “hybrid threat.”
This year, the Latvian State Border Guard has thwarted over 9,000 illegal crossing attempts from Belarus, according to a press release.
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