Latvia suspends Silene border crossing with Belarus

ATHENS

Latvia has suspended one of the two crossings on its border with Belarus, local media reported on Tuesday.

The Silene crossing was shut to help ensure border integrity and prevent threats related to illegal migration, according to public broadcaster LSM.

Located roughly 48 kilometers (about 30 miles) west, the Paternieki gate will remain open to prevent significant disruptions to freight transport, urgent traffic related to business operations, and humanitarian considerations, it added.

According to the Latvian Border Guard, 1,773 attempts to cross the Latvia-Belarus border illegally have been turned back this month, as were a total of 1,615 attempts in August.