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Mega-dinghy carrying dozens of illegal migrants catches fire while crossing Channel

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The Times (UK)

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BREAKING: A French maritime service has confirmed that 157 people have been rescued after a boat caught fire in the Channel. https://trib.al/MXRAEO6  Sky 501 and YouTube

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Daily Mail

Mega-dinghy 'carrying 150 migrants' catches fire in the Channel as British and French coastguard launch rescue operation

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Le Monde.fr

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Scores rescued after boat catches fire in English Channel

More than 150 migrants rescued after boat catches fire in Channel

Guardian

Dinghy carrying 157 people capsizes in Channel after engine catches fire

The Telegraph

Mega-dinghy carrying 157 migrants catches fire in Channel

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Richard Tice

The UK Government

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Bob Blackman

"Starmer has no intention of stopping the boats."

Starmer's "track record, Labour's track record, the Home Secretary's track record and their actions here in Britain suggest there is no desire, or plan, to actually stop the boats."

"The boats will come, and numbers are likely to continue rising."

Starmer is "on track to smash the record for small boat crossings, with numbers up 44%."

"Labour has no intention of doing this [reducing small boat crossings], and Martin Hewitt is the perfect example of their lack of action."

"It [small boat crossings] is 38% worse than the previous worst year, so things are getting worse, not better."

"It [reduction in small boat crossings] can be done if there's the political will."

"[W]e will stop at nothing to dismantle their [people-smuggling gangs] business models [illegal small boat crossings] and bring them to justice."

Will Labour Reduce Small Boat Crossings in the English Channel?

A mega-dinghy carrying 157 migrants caught fire in the English Channel on Tuesday after its engine ignited in French waters. All those on board were rescued by French and British vessels, with no fatalities reported.

France 24

A mega-dinghy carrying 157 migrants caught fire in the English Channel on Tuesday after its engine ignited in French waters. All those on board were rescued by French and British vessels, with no fatalities reported.

The boat departed from Veules-les-Roses, near Dieppe, on Monday night and had been at sea for more than 18 hours before its engine caught fire. French authorities said the vessel's structural integrity deteriorated very rapidly after the blaze.

The boat departed from Veules-les-Roses, near Dieppe, on Monday night and had been at sea for more than 18 hours before its engine caught fire. French authorities said the vessel's structural integrity deteriorated very rapidly after the blaze.

French and British rescue teams, including two UK Border Security Command vessels and the RNLI Eastbourne all-weather lifeboat, responded from around 6am. French boats rescued 103 migrants while British vessels brought 54 to safety, with all taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer.

French and British rescue teams, including two UK Border Security Command vessels and the RNLI Eastbourne all-weather lifeboat, responded from around 6am. French boats rescued 103 migrants while British vessels brought 54 to safety, with all taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer.

French maritime authorities said five people were rescued from the boat overnight before the fire, while the remaining passengers refused assistance, stating they wanted to continue to the UK. The fire broke out later that morning, forcing everyone into the water.

French maritime authorities said five people were rescued from the boat overnight before the fire, while the remaining passengers refused assistance, stating they wanted to continue to the UK. The fire broke out later that morning, forcing everyone into the water.

The average number of migrants per small boat has risen from 26 in 2021 to 65 since the start of 2026, with people-smuggling gangs using larger vessels to maximise profits. A record 165 migrants crossed in a single mega-dinghy on July 23, the highest on record.

The average number of migrants per small boat has risen from 26 in 2021 to 65 since the start of 2026, with people-smuggling gangs using larger vessels to maximise profits. A record 165 migrants crossed in a single mega-dinghy on July 23, the highest on record.

Home Office figures show small boat crossings so far in 2026 are down roughly 43% compared to the same period last year. More than 14,500 migrants have crossed the Channel this year, the lowest total at this stage since 2021.

Home Office figures show small boat crossings so far in 2026 are down roughly 43% compared to the same period last year. More than 14,500 migrants have crossed the Channel this year, the lowest total at this stage since 2021.

157 Migrants Rescued After Dinghy Fire in Channel

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