Dinghy carrying 157 migrants capsizes in Channel after catching fire

WorldPolitics
4 Aug 2026 • 6:04 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

A dinghy carrying 157 migrants has capsized in the English Channel after its engine caught fire at sea.

They were rescued from the water by French vessels aided by two British Border Security Command boats and a RLNI lifeboat, and are being taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer, French authorities said.

Some 54 of the migrants were taken to France on the British vessels.

It comes a day after Reform UK proposed using the Royal Navy to return migrants to France or Belgium under a plan called “operation fortress”.

Responding to the incident, party leader Nigel Farage said: “We must put a stop to this. Our plan will saves lives.”

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