Estonia tightens border checks with Latvia amid rise in illegal migration

Estonia's Police and Border Guard Board has intensified controls along its border with Latvia in response to a growing number of illegal migrants entering the country. The move follows the detention of 41 people within a single week who had crossed into Estonia illegally from Latvia, Estonian public broadcaster ETV reported.

Checks expanded to transport hubs

Igor Bogdanov, head of the patrol service at the agency's southeastern division, said checks are now being carried out on both roads and railways, targeting people and vehicles arriving from Latvia. As an example, he pointed to the Valga railway station, where officers walk through train carriages arriving from Latvia and check passenger documents when necessary.

Authorities have also enlisted hotels and transport companies, including bus operators, asking them to report anything suspicious.

Origin countries and the migration route

According to Bogdanov, the most commonly detained migrants are citizens of Somalia, followed by people from other East African countries such as Ethiopia, as well as nationals of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. He noted that the list of origin countries is actually quite long.

Estonian officials link the migration pressure to possible involvement by Belarus. The sharp rise in illegal migrants discovered in Estonia in recent months has been tied to people who first cross illegally from Belarus into Latvia, then attempt to reach the Nordic countries by passing through Estonia.