Tunnel from Belarus to Lithuania discovered as tool for illegal migrant smuggling

Illegal migrants intercepted in Lithuania

According to Главком: Eighteen individuals attempting to enter Lithuania unlawfully were apprehended by border guards after emerging from a tunnel dug from Belarusian territory. The incident occurred during the night of May 6 in the Varena district, located in southern Lithuania. The passageway ran beneath a border fence topped with barbed wire. All those detained were young men, the majority claiming to be Afghan nationals. Only three carried Afghan passports, while one person stated he came from Sri Lanka.

Following their detention, Lithuanian border authorities sent the group back to Belarus. In a related development, law enforcement stopped a car bearing Lithuanian license plates that contained two Ukrainian citizens-a 41-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman. They are suspected of arriving to pick up seven of the illegal migrants and were taken into custody. A pre-trial investigation has been launched into the illegal transportation of people across the state border, an offense that carries a penalty of up to eight years in prison in Lithuania.

Ongoing illegal migration challenges

This marks the second time in 2024 that migrants have attempted to enter Lithuania via a tunnel. The previous underground passage was discovered on April 6 in the Vilnius district. Since the start of 2024, Lithuanian border guards have detained 731 migrants trying to cross illegally from Belarus. According to the State Border Guard Service (VSAT), Belarusian security forces are aware of such tunnels.

The use of tunnels highlights the persistent issue of illegal migration in the region. Lithuania, sharing a border with Belarus, faces significant challenges from migrant flows aiming to reach the European Union. The discovery of these underground routes points to organized smuggling operations that threaten regional security and stability, while also raising questions about border control effectiveness.

Lithuanian authorities continue to implement measures to address these threats, underscoring the seriousness of the situation along the state border.