A migrant boat caught fire while attempting to cross the English Channel, forcing its occupants to jump into the water. French authorities confirmed that 157 people were rescued, with no reported casualties at this stage.
Rescue operation underway
The incident occurred in the French search and rescue region this morning. Multiple emergency services, including the British coastguard and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), are responding. The operation remains ongoing.
Those rescued are being brought ashore at Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France, where they will receive support from the fire and rescue service and other French organisations.
Official statements
A spokesperson for the French authorities told the Mirror: "This morning, a small boat caught fire on the boundary between French and British waters, forcing its occupants to jump into the water."
The spokesperson added: "French and British rescue services responded quickly. A total of 157 people were rescued and are currently being brought ashore at Boulogne-sur-Mer, where they will be attended to by the fire and rescue service (SDIS) and state-commissioned organisations. At this stage, there are no reported casualties. The operation is still ongoing."
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said: "A vessel caught fire earlier this morning whilst in the French search and rescue region. UK vessels and a lifeboat are assisting."
An RNLI spokesperson confirmed: "Eastbourne's all-weather lifeboat launched at 6am today to an incident."
