Latvia finds first migrant tunnel near Silene

Latvia has found its first underground tunnel used by migrants to enter the country illegally near Silene, LSM reported Tuesday, citing Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava.

The tunnel was discovered around midnight in the area overseen by the Silene border guard station. A joint operation by the State Border Guard, police and the National Armed Forces found a group of migrants covered in soil. While tracing how they had entered Latvia, officials located the tunnel.

Until now, migrants had tried to enter Latvia by climbing over the border fence, Dombrava said.

He instructed the Interior Ministry’s state secretary to arrange ground scanning along the external border to determine whether other tunnels exist.

“We will continue working and hope to completely stop the flow of illegal migration from Belarus,” Dombrava said.

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs of the United List said the border should be under continuous drone surveillance, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He said drones had been provided, but trained pilots were lacking, and efforts would focus on addressing that problem.

“We want to send one message: there will be no loophole here,” Kulbergs said.