A major rescue operation is underway after a boat has caught fire in the English Channel.
At least 157 people have been rescued from the vessel, which French authorities said was carrying migrants trying to cross the English Channel.
Rescuers from the UK and France are helping the vessel after migrants had attempted to cross the English Channel near Boulogne-sur-Mer early on Tuesday morning.
It is not yet known whether anyone on board sustained any injuries.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "A vessel caught fire earlier this morning whilst in the French search and rescue region.
"UK vessels and a lifeboat are assisting."
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) said its Eastbourne all-weather boat was launched around 6am, according to Sky News reports.
Some 54 of the migrants were taken to France on the British vessels.
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Where is Boulogne-sur-Mer?
At least 157 migrants have been rescued after a “mega dinghy” attempting to cross the English Channel caught fire on Tuesday morning.
The boat left from near Boulogne-sur-Mer, according to French authorities.
Farage claims his plan will 'save lives'
Nigel Farage has reacted to news 157 people have been rescued after a “mega dinghy” carrying migrants caught fire in the English Channel by saying his plans will “save lives”.
The Reform UK leader is referring to his party’s plans announced on Monday to use Royal Navy ships to stop Channel migrant crossings.
The party proposed setting up a joint military command with units from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, RAF and the army, as well as a surveillance command, to track incoming boats in what it says would be “the largest military operation in the English Channel since World War Two”.
The armed forces would then intercept any unauthorised boats and detain their occupants, giving them water, food and a medical assessment before returning them to France or Belgium under escort on UK vessels, Reform said.
France hits back at Reform UK’s plan to use navy to stop small boats from crossing Channel
The news that a migrant boat has caught fire while attempting to cross the channel comes just a day after France slammed Reform UK’s proposals to use Royal Navy ships to stop Channel migrant crossings.
Dubbed Operation Fortress, Nigel Farage’s party announced plans on Monday, should they win the next election, to intercept migrant boats and return them to France or Belgium.
But the plan has sparked criticism from political opposition, former navy officers, as well as legal and migration experts, who claim it is dangerous, “lacks substance” and would be unworkable.
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Five others rescued from same boat earlier in the day
Five other people were rescued from the same boat as few hours earlier, French authorities have said.
After the boat caught on flames the people on board were rescued by three coastguard ships, which will take them back to the port, the coastguard said in a statement.
157 people rescued after migrant boat catches fire
At least 157 people have been rescued from a boat that caught fire in the English Channel on Tuesday morning,
French authorities said the vessel was carrying migrants trying to cross the English Channel.
Rescuers from the UK and France are helping the vessel after migrants had attempted to cross the English Channel near Boulogne-sur-Mer early on Tuesday morning.