A third tunnel has been discovered, say state authorities in Lithuania, between their country and Belarus. It is the third such passageway to be discovered in recent weeks. In total, there have been 12 recorded attempts to enter Lithuania by digging underground.
An unfinished tunnel, believed to be made for smuggling people from Belarus, was discovered near the village of Latežeris (Druskininkai municipality), the Lithuanian State Border Guard said in a statement yesterday (August 5). It was the third tunnel discovered by the Varėna border patrol in recent weeks.
The state authorities use special equipment to search for tunnels having previously identified possible spots along the state border. This latest discovery stretched from Belarus about four meters from the state border line into Lithuanian territory. The opening of the underground passage on the Belarusian side was covered with camouflage fabric and measured a depth of about 1.5 meters. The tunnel was fortified by logs and boards but had not yet been completed. State patrols sealed and closed off the tunnel after its discovery.
"There was no physical barrier marking the exit beyond the state border, so illegal migrants or other persons could not enter Lithuanian territory through this underground route," the State Border Guard said.
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Third tunnel
The discovery marks the third tunnel to have been discovered in recent weeks. On July 23, officers of the Kabeliai border force discovered a tunnel extending from Belarus to about five meters into Lithuania. This tunnel was reported to not have been completed and had no exit to the Lithuanian side either.
On July 26, officers of the Kapčiamiestis border force discovered an unfinished tunnel about 11 meters long near the village of Pertako (Lazdijai district). It was estimated to be 9.5 meters from the physical barrier. Logs were stacked next to the tunnel, possibly intended for supports, excavated sand was visible, and buckets were found inside the tunnel, the State Border Guard said.
This year, there have been 12 recorded attempts to enter Lithuania by digging underground.
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Investigation on-going
Authorities have opened an investigation following the discovery of the underground passage way.
Last year. Lithuania and neighboring Poland previously uncovered similar underground tunnels along their borders with Belarus. In past cases, the passages are said to have been used to smuggle people, tobacco and other illicit goods across the frontier.
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