Dozens of migrants rescued after boat catches fire in English Channel
More than 150 migrants have been rescued after the boat they were using to cross the Channel caught fire on Tuesday morning.
French maritime prefecture of the Channel and North Sea said the boat was attempting to cross to the UK when its engine caught fire.
It noted that 157 people have been rescued and are being taken to port in Boulogne-sur-Mer.
Nobody was injured or killed in the incident.
“Determined to reach the United Kingdom, migrants crossing the Channel in small boats refused assistance offered by French emergency service, accepting it only in situations of extreme emergency,” the French maritime prefecture stated.
While two French boats rescued 103 migrants, the British boats rescued 54.
The incident came amid resurfaced political discussions around the UK’s policies on illegal migration.
On Monday, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said progress had been made in curbing the number of people arriving in the UK on small boats.
Mr Burnham noted that enforcement officers tackling people-smuggling gangs have been doubled on both sides of the Channel, stressing the need for “a system that offers safe routes” for UK citizens.
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