Unusual white drone spotted in Garciems; police have no report of the flight

A reader has contacted the editorial office of LA.LV, the website of the Latvian newspaper Latvijas Avīze, after seeing an unusually shaped unmanned aircraft, or drone, in Garciems, Latvia, at about 14:40 on 19 October. The reader wants to know what it might have been, and the editors asked the State Police, the national law enforcement agency, whether it had any information.

What the reader saw

The reader noticed the aircraft above a car park at 23 Aizvēju Street. According to the description, it was white, around one to two metres in size, and resembled a flying wing. The reader also noticed a camera on its underside. A photo was taken, but it shows the aircraft already moving away. The reader sent it to the editors and marked the likely direction of flight.

What police say

Līga Dziļuma, senior specialist at the State Police Public Relations Department, said no drone-related incidents were registered in the area on 19 October. Police added that on 18 October, between 14:30 and 15:00, they received seven reports of possible drones in Sigulda municipality, Ādaži municipality and Garkalne parish of Ropaži municipality. Checks showed these were small aircraft whose flights had been authorised. Police had no information about flights in Garciems on 19 October.

What to do if you see a suspicious drone

Police urge anyone who spots an unidentified or suspicious drone to call 112 and describe what they saw as precisely as possible. Callers should give the place and time, the direction of movement and the approximate altitude. The aircraft's shape, size, colour, sound and any visible lights should also be described.

If the remote operator can be seen, details of their appearance and how they are moving around will help. The more precise the information, the easier it is for police to assess the situation and check for any possible threat.