Emergency operation undertaken as migrant boat catches fire in English Channel

More than 150 people had to be saved

An emergency operation was undertaken this morning (4 August) after reports that a boat caught fire in the stretch of sea.

The news came via a statement from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency who said: "A vessel caught fire earlier this morning whilst in the French search and rescue region. 

"UK vessels and a lifeboat are assisting."

The boat was reported to be crossing the Channel.

The RNLI was also deployed from Eastbourne to assist in the incident.

It is believed the crossing was being undertaken by a migrant boat with French authorities saying that they had attempted to cross the English Channel from Boulogne-sur-Mer.

A statement from the French Navy explained that the boat had been crossing the Channel since yesterday and "five people needed saving" and were taken back to Boulogne.

The communication says that the rest of the people on board refused French help and continued with their journey while under the surveillance of two French ships.

The French Navy said they did not intervene at this point due to the "structural fragility" of the boat in question.

The statement continued: "In the morning of 4 August, while the boat was in the French Search and Rescue Region and near the British Search and Rescue Region, the motor of the boat caught fire and the integrity of the boat quickly deteriorated. The French coast guard immediately sent a mayday call and used all the available means to save the shipwrecked."