More than 150 migrants were rescued on Tuesday morning after the vessel they were using to cross the English Channel caught fire, French authorities reported. The boat, which had departed from France on Monday night, was attempting to reach the United Kingdom when its engine ignited.

French maritime authorities stated that 157 people were rescued and are being transported to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer. There have been no reported injuries or fatalities among those on board.

The incident occurred just one day after Prime Minister Andy Burnham reiterated his government's commitment to curbing small boat arrivals in the UK. The French maritime prefecture of the Channel and North Sea noted that five individuals required rescue overnight. However, the majority of those on board initially refused assistance from French patrol boats, reportedly determined to reach the United Kingdom.

Authorities explained that the migrants accepted assistance only in situations of extreme emergency due to the structural fragility of the boats used for Channel crossings. This morning, however, the engine fire led to a rapid deterioration of the vessel's integrity, prompting a full rescue operation.

Rescue boats from both France and the UK, including the RNLI Eastbourne lifeboat and UK Border Force vessels, were dispatched to the scene. French boats rescued 103 migrants, while British vessels assisted in rescuing 54. All rescued individuals were expected to arrive in Boulogne-sur-Mer by 12:30 local time for assessment and care.

A UK government spokesperson confirmed that the Border Security Command was alerted to a distressed small boat in French waters. British vessels supported the operation, and the spokesperson emphasized that the incident highlights the "terrible dangers of small boat crossings." The government stated its ongoing efforts to "work relentlessly with the French and our partners overseas to prevent these perilous journeys."

Data indicates that between January 1 and August 1, 2026, a total of 14,526 people crossed the English Channel by small boat from France, a decrease of 43% compared to the same period the previous year. Small boat arrivals have become the most common method of detected illegal entry into the UK since 2020, with most arrivals claiming asylum.

Boats arriving in the UK between August 2, 2025, and August 1, 2026, carried an average of 67 people. The source material does not specify the exact number of people originally on the distressed vessel, only the number rescued.