More than 150 migrants rescued after boat catches fire in Channel
More than 150 migrants have been rescued after the boat they were using to cross the Channel caught fire on Tuesday morning, French authorities have said. The boat was attempting to cross to the UK when its engine caught fire, according to the French maritime prefecture of the Channel and North Sea. It said 157 […]
More than 150 migrants were rescued after a boat attempting to cross from France to the United Kingdom caught fire on Tuesday morning. According to French maritime authorities, the boat was en route when its engine ignited, leading to rapid deterioration of the vessel's integrity. French and British emergency services, including the RNLI Eastbourne lifeboat and UK Border Force vessels, responded to the incident.
In total, 157 people were rescued and are currently being taken to the port in Boulogne-sur-Mer for treatment. No injuries or fatalities have been reported. French authorities stated that the boat departed from France the previous night, with five individuals initially requiring rescue, while the rest refused assistance from French patrol boats.
Despite concerns over the "structural fragility" of these boats, rescue operations were initiated after the engine caught fire. The UK government emphasized the perilous nature of these small boat crossings and pledged continued collaboration with French authorities to prevent such perilous journeys.
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