Lithuanian border guards turn back 38 migrants who entered from Belarus via underground tunnel

Lithuanian border guards have intercepted 38 migrants—36 men and two women—who attempted to enter the country from Belarus through an underground tunnel, state broadcaster LRT reported Tuesday, citing the State Border Guard Service (VSAT).

The group, claiming to be citizens of Afghanistan and Iran, emerged from the tunnel in the Šalčininkai district late Monday night. Officers detained them in a forest area after a pursuit in darkness. Some migrants carried identity documents.

As per standard procedure, border guards offered humanitarian aid packages containing food and essentials for outdoor conditions, though most migrants declined them. The individuals were later returned to Belarus.

This marks the latest in a series of tunnel crossings: similar attempts were recorded on April 6 and May 6, both in the Vilnius district. Authorities assert such tunnels are dug “not without the knowledge of Belarusian officials.”

Since January, Lithuania has blocked 763 irregular border crossings from Belarus, while Poland reported 194 and Latvia nearly 4,000. Over 25,000 migrants have been turned away since the crisis began in 2021, when the EU accused Minsk of orchestrating the influx.