A dinghy carrying 157 migrants capsized in the English Channel on Tuesday morning after its engine caught fire. All occupants were rescued, with no fatalities reported.
Rescue Operation
The incident occurred in the French search and rescue region. French vessels, assisted by two British Border Security Command boats and an RNLI lifeboat, rescued the migrants and are taking them to Boulogne-sur-Mer.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed the dinghy caught fire, and a coastguard 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 said Eastbourne's all-weather lifeboat launched at 6am on Tuesday.
Political Reaction
The incident comes a day after Reform UK proposed using the Royal Navy to return migrants to France or Belgium under a plan called "operation fortress." Party leader Nigel Farage said on X: "We must put a stop to this. Our plan will save lives." Deputy leader Richard Tice added: "Just like Reform policy: rescue and return. It's the humanitarian thing to do. We must stop people dying."
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: "This is why it's so wrong that French police stand by and do nothing while the illegal migrant boats embark – lives are being risked."
Context
The boat, which left a beach at Veules-les-Roses near Dieppe on Monday night, is among the largest to attempt the crossing. Last month, a record 165 migrants crossed in a single vessel.
Last Wednesday saw the busiest day for small boat crossings this year, with 752 migrants arriving in the UK. However, overall arrivals for 2026 have dropped: the provisional total is 14,526, 43% lower than the same period last year (25,436) and down 14% on 2024 (16,903).
