Channel chaos as 'mega dinghy' with 160 people onboard bursts into flames

A search and rescue operation was launched at around 6am on Tuesday after a 'mega dinghy' carrying around 160 migrants went up in flames in French waters, with 157 people rescued

Total of 173 people were rescued after the large dinghy caught fire and capsized

Overcrowded mega-dinghy which caught fire in Channel was largest migrant-filled boat to attempt crossing  lbc.co.uk

The dinghy caught fire while still in the French search and rescue region on Tuesday morning.

The dinghy caught fire while still in the French search and rescue region on Tuesday morning.

More than 170 migrants paying around £1500 boarded a 'mega dinghy' operating a taxi boat service to the UK - before it caught fire

Craig Munro | Senior Politics Reporter Published August 4, 2026 12:18pm Updated August 4, 2026 12:18pm Migrants walking onshore at Dunkirk after their attempted crossing failed last month (Picture: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire) Almost 160 people have been rescued from a ‘mega-dinghy’ in the English Channel after its engine ca

French authorities have now reported the migrants have been rescued after the vessel's engine burst into flames earlier this morning (August 4)

157 migrants rescued from dinghy on fire in Channel  The Times

NewsUK NewsNational newsA dinghy capsized after its engine caught fire11:42, 04 Aug 2026A dinghy has capsized in the English Channel after its engine caught fire at sea. It had been carrying 157 migrants.‌French vessels aided by two British Border Security Command boats and a RLNI lifeboat rescued those in the water. A

A dinghy rescue operation was launched at around 6am on Tuesday after the so-called "mega-dinghy" carrying around 160 migrants went up in flames in French waters in the English Channel

More than 100 migrants rescued after dinghy capsizes in English Channel  ITVX

A MEGA-dinghy believed to be carrying around 160 migrants caught fire during an attempt to cross the English Channel this morning. The major search and rescue operation was launched at around 6am after the vessel's engine burst into flames in French waters. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Eastbourne was

Mega-dinghy carrying dozens of illegal migrants catches fire while crossing Channel  gbnews.com