Lietuvos Valsts robežsardzes dienests announced the discovery of an underground tunnel near the Belarus border in the Varėna district on Wednesday, which officials assess was likely built to organize illegal migration. Border guards detected ground vibrations in the country’s southeast indicating potential subterranean digging originating from the Belarusian side, according to the state agency.
Border Security and Tunnel Detection Methods
Specialists from Polish services joined Lithuanian officials in the inspections, bringing specialized equipment designed for locating underground tunnels. According to the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service, authorities performed a control borehole that revealed the subterranean passageway before an exit could be established on the Lithuanian side.
The tunnel sat approximately one and a half meters deep with a diameter of roughly one meter. “Movement in the ground indicated that an underground tunnel might be dug from the Belarusian side,” the Lithuanian border guard noted, detailing the initial circumstances that led to the discovery.
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Investigation and Historical Precedents
Lithuanian border enforcement believes the underground passage was intended for the illegal movement of people across the state border. Officials recalled that similar tunnels were previously identified in both Lithuania and Poland. Those earlier passages were utilized for the cross-border smuggling of goods and the unauthorized transportation of individuals across the border from Belarus. An active investigation into the incident is ongoing, according to state officials.
Frequently Asked Questions
How was the tunnel discovered?
According to the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service, officers registered ground vibrations in the Varėna district, which prompted checks supported by Polish specialists and specialized detection equipment.
What were the dimensions of the underground structure?
The tunnel was located at a depth of about one and a half meters and featured a diameter of roughly one meter, without a completed exit on the Lithuanian side.
What do authorities suspect the tunnel was used for?
State border officials assess that the passage was likely intended for the organization of illegal migration and unauthorized human transport.
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