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Poland Uncovers Belarus Border Tunnel Used to Move Migrants

Electronic devices led guards to an exit just meters from Poland's border fence.

Overview

  • Polish border guards secured a clandestine tunnel from Belarus and detained more than 130 people, mostly Afghans and Pakistanis with others from India, Bangladesh and Nepal.
  • Officials estimate at least 180 people used the route before it was found.
  • The passage was several meters long and about 1.5 meters high with a forest entrance in Belarus and an exit around 10 meters from Poland's barrier, detected using electronic equipment.
  • Two suspected smugglers — a 69-year-old Polish man and a 49-year-old Lithuanian — were arrested.
  • The discovery follows three similar finds this year as Warsaw alleges Belarus is facilitating flows, while Frontex reports irregular EU entries down about 25% and Belarusian media say Lukashenko met US envoy John Coale.