More than 150 migrants rescued after boat catches fire in Channel

Boulogne-sur-Mer, France – More than 150 migrants were rescued Tuesday morning after the vessel they were using to cross the English Channel caught fire. French authorities reported that the boat, which had departed from France on Monday night, experienced an engine fire.

The French maritime prefecture of the Channel and North Sea stated that the boat's "integrity deteriorated very rapidly" due to the fire. Rescue operations involved both French and British vessels, including the RNLI Eastbourne lifeboat and UK Border Force ships. French boats rescued 103 migrants, while British boats assisted 54.

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Determined to reach the United Kingdom, migrants crossing the Channel in small boats refused assistance offered by French patrol boats, accepting it only in situations of extreme emergency.

Authorities noted that the migrants had initially refused assistance from French patrol boats, determined to reach the United Kingdom. However, the escalating emergency caused by the engine fire necessitated intervention. All rescued individuals are being transported to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer for treatment.

This incident occurs just a day after Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged his government would be "relentless" in efforts to curb the number of people arriving in the UK on small boats. The rescue highlights the perilous conditions faced by migrants attempting the dangerous Channel crossing.

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the vessel's integrity deteriorated very rapidly