157 migrants rescued after boat catches fire during Channel crossing

More than 150 migrants were rescued after their boat caught fire while attempting to cross the English Channel, French authorities announced on Tuesday. The incident occurred on Monday night as the vessel, en route to the UK, experienced an engine fire. According to the French maritime prefecture, 157 individuals have been rescued and are being transported to Boulogne-sur-Mer for treatment.

No injuries or fatalities have been reported. This event follows Prime Minister Andy Burnham's pledge to relentlessly combat illegal immigration via small boats. French authorities reported that five people initially refused assistance from French patrol boats, stating they were determined to reach the UK. However, when the vessel's engine caught fire and its structural integrity deteriorated rapidly, rescue efforts from France and the UK, including the RNLI Eastbourne lifeboat and UK Border Force vessels, were initiated.

Two French boats rescued 103 migrants, while British boats rescued 54. The rescued migrants will be taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer for medical attention. Since the beginning of 2026, 14,526 people have crossed the English Channel via small boats, a 43% decrease compared to the same period last year. Nearly all arrivals claim asylum, making them subject to UK asylum procedures.

In the period from 2 August 2025 to 1 August 2026, an average of 67 people traveled per boat, a more than doubling from 2021. Despite the risks associated with overcrowded boats, 84 people died attempting the crossing in 2024, according to the UN. The government has vowed to "smash the gangs" behind these crossings to reduce numbers.

Of the 14,526 people who crossed in 2026, 2,000 were found to be potential victims of human trafficking or modern slavery, and 4,535 were detected entering illegally via other means.