157 Migrants Rescued After Boat Fire in English Channel

On Tuesday, the large-scale operation to rescue the 157 migrants then began. According to the prefecture, the fire had broken out during the crossing; the cause initially remained unclear. Sea rescue forces brought those affected aboard patrol boats and coordinated the handover to medical services.

Rescue Operation: Hundreds on Board Affected

The rescued individuals were brought to nearby ports according to initial reports and received medical care there. There were initially no conclusive statements from authorities regarding the health condition of those rescued or possible missing persons.

France and Great Britain had repeatedly intensified the joint monitoring of the English Channel in recent years in order to curb the number of irregular crossings. At the same time, aid organizations have long been warning of the dangers of crossing in unseaworthy boats.

Background: Illegal Crossings of the English Channel

The incidents on Tuesday are part of a pattern that has persisted for years: time and again, people attempt to reach Great Britain in small boats from the coasts of northern France – particularly from the Pas-de-Calais department. The routes run through the middle of one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, which increases the risk for the migrants.

After the rescue of the 157 people, the responsible authorities announced that they would investigate the incident and review the procedures for coordination with British agencies. The question of how the fire could have started is also to be part of the investigation.

The Préfecture maritime de la Manche et de la mer du Nord emphasized that the cooperation between French and British rescue services had proceeded smoothly. AFP first reported on the incident.