Almost 80 migrants turned away on Lithuania's border with Belarus, none let in – SBGS

VILNIUS – Lithuanian border guards have in the past 24 hours turned away almost 80 migrants attempting to cross into country from Belarus illegally, and no people were let in, the State Border Guard Service said on Friday morning.

The push-backs occurred in the districts of Varena and Salcininkai.

Also, the SBGS visually recorded several small groups of migrants deeper in the territory of Belarus but they stayed away from the border and do not make attempts to cross it.

Patrols within Lithuania's territory are taking lace under a stepped-up regime. The SBGS used a service helicopter and planes of partners, Germany and Latvia, for air surveillance of borderline territories.

Border guards and troops assisting them have not used their service guns, special measures or physical force over the past 24 hours, according to the service.  

Over 4,100 migrants have crossed into Lithuania from Belarus illegally so far this year, forcing the country to declare a state-level extreme situation over the unprecedented migration influx which it says is being orchestrated by the Belarusian regime.