A dinghy carrying 173 people capsized in the English Channel on Tuesday morning after its engine caught fire during an attempted crossing from France. All passengers were rescued from the water following a large-scale air and sea operation involving UK Border Force, French vessels, and an RNLI lifeboat.
Rescue Operation and Casualties
According to French authorities, the boat initially carried 173 people, but five were rescued overnight in a separate incident and taken back to Boulogne. The remaining passengers chose to continue their journey. The dinghy was carrying the highest number of people so far this year, surpassing a boat that arrived on 23 July with 165 passengers.
A coastguard spokesperson said: “A vessel caught fire earlier this morning whilst in the French search and rescue region. UK vessels and a lifeboat are assisting.” The RNLI confirmed that Eastbourne’s all-weather lifeboat launched at 6am on Tuesday.
The Calais préfet reported that 40 firefighters and a specialised medical team were involved in the response. Eleven people suffered minor injuries, and three were taken to hospital in Boulogne. All 173 people have now been returned to Boulogne.
Context and Government Response
This incident comes amid a series of dangerous crossings. Last week, four people died on overcrowded boats. Smugglers are using increasingly risky tactics, including launching from parts of the French coast farther from the UK, such as Dieppe, which is about 70 miles (112km) away, compared to the 27-mile Calais-to-Dover route.
On Monday, Reform UK proposed using the Royal Navy to return people to France or Belgium under a plan called “Operation Fortress,” which they describe as a humanitarian response. The new prime minister, Andy Burnham, has promised to continue efforts to stop crossings, though over 2,000 people have crossed the Channel since he took office.
French authorities noted that the people initially refused assistance. “Given the structural fragility of the overcrowded boats, the decision was made not to force the migrants to board state rescue vessels, to avoid endangering their lives in the event of a shipwreck,” a statement read. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges in managing Channel crossings and the humanitarian risks involved.
