RNLI Eastbourne assists as more than 150 migrants rescued in the Channel

A total of 157 migrants were successfully rescued from the English Channel on Tuesday morning after their overcrowded "mega-dinghy" caught fire and began breaking apart in French waters

The RNLI Eastbourne all-weather lifeboat launched at 6:00 AM BST to support British and French authorities in the major emergency response operation. 

The Incident

• The Vessel: A 13-metre (42-foot) "mega-dinghy" carrying 157 people.
• The Origin: The boat departed from the beach at Veules-les-Roses, near Dieppe, France, on Monday night.
• The Emergency: After passengers initially refused assistance overnight, the vessel's engine burst into flames on Tuesday morning, causing the boat's structural integrity to deteriorate rapidly.

The Rescue Operations

A coordinated fleet from both sides of the Channel responded to the distress call: 

• French Assets: Two French rescue boats safely pulled 103 migrants from the water.
• British Assets: The UK Border Security Command deployed the vessels BSC Contender and BSC Courageous, which alongside the RNLI Eastbourne Lifeboat Station rescued the remaining 54 migrants.
• Casualties: UK and French authorities have confirmed no injuries or fatalities from the incident. 

Aftermath and Treatment

All 157 rescued individuals are being safely returned to France. They were transported to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer to undergo medical assessments and receive treatment from emergency services. 

If you are tracking this developing situation, please let me know if you would like updates on UK-French border security statements, Channel crossing statistics, or details regarding the RNLI's rescue fleet.