Paris: French and British rescue teams have rescued 157 migrants attempting to cross the English Channel after the engine of their boat caught fire, forcing an emergency operation near the maritime border between France and the UK.
According to French maritime authorities, the vessel’s engine caught fire on Tuesday morning while it was in France’s search-and-rescue zone close to British waters. The boat rapidly began to break apart, prompting a large-scale rescue response.
French authorities deployed two rescue vessels, a French Navy helicopter and medical teams, while Britain’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Border Force also joined the operation.
Of the 157 people rescued, 103 were brought to safety by French vessels, while 54 were rescued by British teams.
All those rescued were due to be taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France, where they would receive medical assessments and assistance.
The vessel had departed from the Normandy coast on Monday and had been under surveillance by French rescue services during its journey.
Authorities said that during the night, five people onboard required assistance and were transferred to Boulogne-sur-Mer, while the remaining passengers declined rescue assistance at that stage.
French maritime officials noted that migrants travelling in overcrowded and often makeshift boats frequently refuse rescue unless there is an immediate threat to life. Rescuers generally avoid forcing passengers off vessels because such actions can increase the risk of capsizing.
The incident comes amid continuing concerns over the dangers of Channel crossings. Last week, four people died in two separate attempts to reach the UK aboard small boats.
Earlier this year, France and the UK signed a new multimillion-euro agreement aimed at reducing irregular crossings, including increased police patrols, enhanced surveillance and the deployment of new technologies targeting so-called “taxi boats” used by people-smuggling networks along northern France’s coastline.
The English Channel remains one of the world’s busiest shipping routes and one of the most dangerous migration corridors in Europe.