A major rescue operation is underway after a boat has caught fire in the English Channel.
At least 157 people have been rescued from the vessel, which French authorities said was carrying migrants trying to cross the English Channel.
Rescuers from the UK and France are helping the vessel after migrants had attempted to cross the English Channel near Boulogne-sur-Mer early on Tuesday morning.
It is not yet known whether anyone on board sustained any injuries.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “A vessel caught fire earlier this morning whilst in the French search and rescue region.
“UK vessels and a lifeboat are assisting.”
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) said its Eastbourne all-weather boat was launched around 6am, according to Sky News reports.
Some 54 of the migrants were taken to France on the British vessels.
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Five others rescued from same boat earlier in the day
Five other people were rescued from the same boat as few hours earlier, French authorities have said.
After the boat caught on flames the people on board were rescued by three coastguard ships, which will take them back to the port, the coastguard said in a statement.
Nicole Wootton-Cane4 August 2026 11:19
157 people rescued after migrant boat catches fire
At least 157 people have been rescued from a boat that caught fire in the English Channel on Tuesday morning,
French authorities said the vessel was carrying migrants trying to cross the English Channel.
Rescuers from the UK and France are helping the vessel after migrants had attempted to cross the English Channel near Boulogne-sur-Mer early on Tuesday morning.
Nicole Wootton-Cane4 August 2026 11:15