Migrant surge nearly fills Tallinn detention centre
A growing number of irregular migrants have recently been crossing from Latvia and Belarus toward Estonia, leaving Tallinn's detention centre nearly at capacity. Most of the detainees are expected to be returned to Latvia.
Estonia has seen a recent rise in irregular migrants arriving via the Latvian-Belarusian border and continuing on toward Estonian territory, according to Estonian public broadcaster ERR.
The increased flow has placed pressure on Tallinn's detention centre for migrants, which is now reported to be nearly full. The overcrowding has reportedly led to a rise in tensions and conflicts among the people held there.
Estonian authorities intend to return most of the currently detained migrants to Latvia, indicating that the individuals had entered Estonian territory by passing through Latvia first.
The development reflects a broader regional pattern in which irregular migration through the eastern borders is creating pressure on border control and reception capacities across several Baltic states.
