Poland has discovered another underground tunnel used by migrants to cross illegally from Belarus, making it the fourth one found in 2025. The latest tunnel was uncovered near the village of Narewka in the Podlaskie region, and officials say it had already been used by more than 180 migrants before authorities intervened. So far, over 130 people have been detained, while the search for others is still going on.
The tunnel, which was about 1.5 metres high, ran several dozen metres under the border fence and a nearby service road. Officials revealed that its entrance was hidden inside a forest on the Belarusian side, roughly 50 metres from the border, while the exit on the Polish side was about 10 metres from the barrier. The structure was designed to avoid detection and allow large numbers of people to pass through quietly.
Polish border guards were able to track the movement through the area using electronic monitoring tools that helped them quickly identify how many migrants had crossed. Most of those detained were from Afghanistan and Pakistan, while others came from India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. The discovery highlights how groups continue to devise new methods to enter the European Union despite tight border controls.
Security operations were immediately expanded after the tunnel was found, with border guards, soldiers, and police officers working together to secure the area. Sniffer dogs were also used to help track the remaining migrants who had escaped before officers arrived. Authorities say they are treating the incident as part of a wider pattern of organised smuggling happening along the Belarus border.
During a related operation, two suspected drivers — a 69-year-old Polish man and a 49-year-old Lithuanian — were arrested for allegedly preparing to transport migrants further into Europe. Officials say investigations into their activities and possible connections to smuggling groups are still underway. Both men are expected to face serious charges if linked to the underground crossings.
This new discovery marks the fourth illegal tunnel found along the Poland-Belarus border this year. Each case has shown increasing levels of planning by smuggling networks, who appear to be digging tunnels equipped to handle large groups in a short time. The Polish Border Guard says these operations show how determined smugglers are, even as security measures grow stronger.
Authorities stressed that the combination of physical border barriers and improved electronic surveillance has helped them react faster to breach attempts. They added that the discovery also underscores the need for continued vigilance as pressure on the border remains high. Poland has repeatedly accused Belarus of encouraging illegal migration in response to political tensions, a claim Belarus denies.
The situation remains a major security issue in the region, and officials say more operations will continue as they work to protect the border. With four tunnels found in a single year, Poland believes that smugglers may still be trying to build more hidden routes, making constant monitoring essential.