A mega-dinghy carrying nearly 160 migrants caught fire in the Channel today, forcing everyone onboard to jump into the sea.
Search operations began at around 6am after the inflatable went up in flames after setting off from a beach near Boulogne-sur-mer.
The RNLI’s Eastbourne lifeboat deployed alongside UK coastguard vessels, although the rescue operation is being led by the French.
It is thought that a fuel leak from the outboard motor caused the blaze, causing mass panic on board.
At least 157 migrants have been rescued so far and are being disembarked at Boulogne-sur-Mer. There are no reported casualties.
A spokesman for France’s Maritime Prefecture
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