Latvia detains 28 migrants who entered from Belarus through border tunnel

Latvian border guards have detained 28 migrants who crossed the country’s eastern border from Belarus through an underground tunnel, according to Latvian authorities.

The tunnel, discovered approximately 20 metres from the border, had been concealed under moss. It is the second such passage uncovered by Latvian authorities in recent weeks.

On August 10, border guards discovered another tunnel that had reportedly been used by 15 migrants to enter Latvia from Belarus.

Latvia has recorded a sharp increase in attempts at irregular border crossings in recent months. European leaders have described the growing migration pressure along the EU’s eastern borders as part of what they regard as a hybrid operation linked to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s government.

The developments come as Latvia prepares for parliamentary elections scheduled for October 3.

The country, with a population of around 2 million, has already recorded nearly 10,000 attempts to cross its border illegally during the first eight months of 2026. This compares with approximately 12,000 attempts recorded during the whole of 2025.

Latvian authorities have reported that on some days more than 100 attempts are made to cross the 173-kilometre border, which is protected by a fence.