A major rescue operation was launched after a boat carrying more than 150 migrants capsized and caught fire in the English Channel.
At least 157 people were rescued from the vessel, which French authorities said was carrying migrants trying to cross from Veules-les-Roses, near Dieppe.
A total of 54 migrants were taken to France on the British vessels. It is not yet known whether anyone on board was injured.
The number of people on the boat makes it one of the biggest ever to attempt to cross the Channel. A record 165 migrants crossed in a single vessel last month in a 13m (42ft) boat dubbed a “mega dinghy”.
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.
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Key Points
- 157 people rescued after migrant boat catches fire
- Five others rescued from same boat earlier in the day
- France hits back at Reform UK’s plan to use navy to stop small boats from crossing Channel
- Boat was one of the biggest to attempt Channel crossing
- No fatalities reported as migrants returned to France
Tory spokesman slates French police
13:50 , Jane Dalton
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.”
Burnham vows ‘relentless’ fight to halt small boat crossings
13:30 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Andy Burnham has vowed to be “relentless” as he pledged to tackle smuggling gangs and drive down small boat crossings.
On a visit to Dover on Sunday, the prime minister said he was not “complacent” on the issue of the crossings as he announced a boost to the number of officers deployed to tackle the gangs.
Mr Burnham highlighted that crossings are down significantly compared to the numbers for this time last year, but promised to get a “grip” on the situation rather than “play politics”.
“Clearly, progress is being made, but we’re not complacent, and it’s why I am here,” he said,
“It’s why I’ve come down on Sunday to see the team to listen to what they think needs to be done, what further can be done. So we’re just going to be relentless.”
You can read more below:
Burnham vows ‘relentless’ fight to halt small boat crossings
Analysis: Can the Royal Navy legally stop the boats?
13:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Reform UK has pledged to send the Royal Navy into the Channel to intercept all migrant boats there and return them to France or Belgium. Sean O’Grady and Athena Stavrou consider whether it’s even possible.
Can the Royal Navy legally stop the boats?
Small boat migrant crossings: What the numbers tell us about 2026 so far
12:45 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The number of migrants who have reached the UK after crossing the English Channel so far this year is more than 40 per cent lower than at this point in 2025.
This is despite a recent flurry of arrivals.
Here, The Independent looks at the latest available data for crossings and the long-term trends.
Small boat migrant crossings: What the numbers tell us about 2026 so far
No fatalities reported as migrants returned to France, UK govt says
12:30 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
No fatalities have been recorded after a boat carrying more than 150 migrants caught fire in the English Channel, UK authorities said.
A UK government spokesperson confirmed the Border Security Command was alerted to an incident in the Channel concerning a migrant small boat in distress in French waters on Tuesday morning.
“British vessels supported a French search and rescue operation,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “This is a live rescue operation but at this stage there have been no fatalities reported. Those on board will be safely returned to France.
“This incident underlines the terrible dangers of small boat crossings. We continue to work relentlessly with the French and our partners overseas to prevent these perilous journeys.”
Boat was one of the biggest to attempt Channel crossing
12:15 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The number of people on the boat which caught flames in French waters this morning makes it one of the biggest ever to attempt to cross the Channel.
The boat was carrying at least 157 migrants, with a number taken back to French shores.
A record 165 migrants crossed in a single vessel last month in a 13m (42ft) boat dubbed a “mega dinghy” by the media.
British vessels and lifeboat assisting rescue mission
12:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
British vessels and a lifeboats assisted the rescue effort in the English Channel this morning, according to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
A spokesperson said: “A vessel caught fire earlier this morning whilst in the French search and rescue region. UK vessels and a lifeboat are assisting.”
What has Downing Street said about Reform UK's proposals?
11:50 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Downing Street said when the Royal Navy had primacy for small boat crossings in 2022 there was no reduction during that period.
No 10 said border patrol officers were the “best suited candidate” to deal with such operations.
Asked about Reform UK’s proposal to use the Navy to pick up migrants in the Channel, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Royal Navy had primacy for small boat crossings under the previous government in 2022. I’d remind you there was no reduction in small boat crossings in that period.
“The Royal Navy is already tackling many threats, including monitoring any Russian warships operating near our shores, protecting our waters and our critical national infrastructure.
“Border patrol officers have significant capabilities and skills that make them the best suited candidate to lead small boats operations in the Channel.
“That’s why we’re driving down the number of crossings. It’s why they’re down almost 50 per cent compared to last year, and why almost 60 per cent of attempted crossings have been stopped since this government came to power.”
Where is Boulogne-sur-Mer?
11:36 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
At least 157 migrants have been rescued after a “mega dinghy” attempting to cross the English Channel caught fire on Tuesday morning.
The boat left from near Boulogne-sur-Mer, according to French authorities.
Farage claims his plan will 'save lives'
11:30 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Nigel Farage has reacted to news 157 people have been rescued after a “mega dinghy” carrying migrants caught fire in the English Channel by saying his plans will “save lives”.
The Reform UK leader is referring to his party’s plans announced on Monday to use Royal Navy ships to stop Channel migrant crossings.
The party proposed setting up a joint military command with units from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, RAF and the army, as well as a surveillance command, to track incoming boats in what it says would be “the largest military operation in the English Channel since World War Two”.
The armed forces would then intercept any unauthorised boats and detain their occupants, giving them water, food and a medical assessment before returning them to France or Belgium under escort on UK vessels, Reform said.
We must put a stop to this. Our plan will saves lives. https://t.co/aLa51EHbjX
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) August 4, 2026
France hits back at Reform UK’s plan to use navy to stop small boats from crossing Channel
11:25 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The news that a migrant boat has caught fire while attempting to cross the channel comes just a day after France slammed Reform UK’s proposals to use Royal Navy ships to stop Channel migrant crossings.
Dubbed Operation Fortress, Nigel Farage’s party announced plans on Monday, should they win the next election, to intercept migrant boats and return them to France or Belgium.
But the plan has sparked criticism from political opposition, former navy officers, as well as legal and migration experts, who claim it is dangerous, “lacks substance” and would be unworkable.
You can read more below:
France hits back at Reform UK plan to use navy to stop small boats crossing Channel
Five others rescued from same boat earlier in the day
11:19 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
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.
157 people rescued after migrant boat catches fire
11:15 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
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.
