RIGA, May 24 (LETA) - The National Armed Forces (NBS) have concluded search operations on Lake Dridza in the Kraslava Municipality, where a drone crashed and exploded on Saturday morning, NBS spokesperson Roberts Skraucs told LETA.

The NBS representative noted that the drone had broken into several small pieces, and a decision was made on Sunday to conclude the search operations, as everything that could be found had been recovered.

For now, however, it is not yet known what kind of drone it was. All recovered parts will still be examined and analyzed.

Access to the lake is no longer restricted.

The State Police (VP) received a report from residents around 8 a.m. on Saturday regarding an unmanned aerial vehicle crashing into Lake Dridza, where it detonated upon contact with the water. No one was injured in the incident.

Possible debris from the unmanned aerial vehicle was found at the scene. Additional manpower was deployed to survey the extensive area, including an additional VP unit with a drone, State Fire and Rescue Service personnel with a boat, and the National Armed Forces (NBS).

The NBS previously informed LETA that sensors did not detect the drone entering Latvian territory, so no alert was issued.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated regarding the incident in accordance with Chapter 10 of the Criminal Law - crimes against the state.

As reported, residents in Latvia's eastern region of Latgale have received similar cell broadcast notifications over the past few months, most likely related to drones approaching or entering Latvian airspace amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Such drones have also exploded on Latvian territory on several occasions, including on May 7 at an oil storage facility in Rezekne.

So far, no people have been injured in such incidents, but a recent drone crash in Rezekne led to the sacking of Defense Minister Andris Spruds (Progressives) and the resignation of Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity).