Border guards find three after Jēkabpils migrant chase

Latvia’s State Border Guard has found three people who illegally crossed the Belarus Latvia border after they fled from a stopped vehicle in Jēkabpils municipality, LSM reported. The search for three others is continuing.

The search began on Monday in Ābeļi parish near Laši village. Police stopped a Mercedes Benz vehicle and detained its Polish driver for transporting people who had crossed the state border illegally.

Several people fled when law enforcement officers stopped the vehicle. The State Police joined the search, which involved a police dog and a drone. Jēkabpils municipal police alerted local residents.

By Tuesday noon, the State Border Guard had found three people without valid travel documents, visas or residence permits. Border Guard representative Jolanta Babiško said the three had previously crossed the Belarus Latvia border illegally.

Authorities have not disclosed further details, including the nationalities of those detained. Criminal proceedings have been launched against the driver.

The wooded area near Laši is located a few hundred metres from the village, while the nearest other villages are about two to four kilometres away. Residents said the situation had made them feel unsafe. One resident said police had advised people to call 110 if they saw the escapees.