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

By RORY TINGLE, HOME AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT Published: 10:46, 4 August 2026 | Updated: 10:53, 4 August 2026 A mega-dinghy carrying around 150 migrants has caught fire in the Channel, sparking an urgent rescue operation. The Eastbourne lifeboat was launched at 6am today alongside French and British coastguard vessels after the boat's engine went up in flames in French waters. It is understood that around 150 people were onboard the dinghy. It is not known whether any people have been injured or killed. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) confirmed it had launched the Eastbourne lifeboat but said the operation was being led by the French coastguard. As the migrants are in French waters, they are likely to be returned to France. A UK coastguard spokesman said: 'A vessel caught fire earlier this morning whilst in the French search and rescue region. UK vessels and a lifeboat are assisting.' More than 2,000 migrants have arrived on UK shores in small boat crossings since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister just over a fortnight ago. A total of 165 migrants crossed the Channel to the UK in a single mega-dinghy on July 23 - the highest on record  Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. A total of 165 migrants crossed the Channel to the UK in a single mega-dinghy on July 23, the highest figure on record. On Saturday alone, 326 migrants arrived in four boats, according to the latest figures, bringing the number to 2,057 since the former Manchester mayor took over from Sir Keir Starmer on July 20. Last Wednesday marked the busiest day for small boat crossings across the English Channel so far this year, with 752 migrants arriving in the UK. This year's provisional total of asylum seekers arriving by boat is now 14,526. Mr Burnham has said the Government's plan to curb Channel crossings is working as numbers are down year on year but he has admitted there is more to do. But in the same period in 2025, from July 20 to August 2, there were only 1,962 crossings recorded. The average number of people on each boat has increased from seven in 2018 to around 70 last month. Reform leader Nigel Farage yesterday unveiled his party's Operation Fortress plan to deploy the Royal Navy to return Channel migrants. Under the 'return and rescue' proposal, the Royal Navy would intercept every vessel carrying illegal migrants to the UK and return all those on board to their country of departure. The plan was heavily criticised by the French government, which declared it a 'violation of French sovereignty' and international law.