Lithuania issues drone alert as Vilnius airport suspends flights

08:45

Authorities in Lithuania placed several regions on alert Wednesday morning following reports of a possible drone-related security threat that temporarily disrupted activity at Vilnius International Airport. The situation prompted emergency measures, including the suspension of flights and the evacuation of officials to protected shelters.

Residents in the capital city of Vilnius received emergency notifications on their mobile phones urging them to immediately seek shelter and wait for further instructions from the military. The warning created concern among the population as security forces intensified monitoring operations in the affected areas.

According to local authorities, members of the Lithuanian parliament were escorted to underground shelters as a precautionary measure. The country’s president and prime minister were also reportedly taken to secure locations while the situation was being assessed.

The temporary closure of Vilnius airport affected air traffic operations and caused delays for passengers. Officials later continued investigations to determine the origin and nature of the suspected drone activity.

Lithuania, like several European countries, has strengthened its security measures in recent years due to growing regional tensions and concerns related to airspace monitoring. Experts note that drone incidents can create significant challenges for civilian infrastructure, particularly airports and government institutions.

Authorities urged the public to remain calm and follow official recommendations while security services continued their assessment of the incident.