A group of people are brought in to the Border Security Command compound in Dover, Kent, from a Border Security Command vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel, August 17, 2026
NEARLY 100 refugees were rescued after their inflatable dinghy broke down in the English Channel.
The boat suffered engine failure shortly after leaving the French coast on Monday morning. In total, 96 people were rescued and taken to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, French authorities said.
As the boat departed Le Touquet beach, around 30 people were left in the water, including some who were in serious difficulty in the currents, rescuers said.
Four people were pulled from the water by helicopter and another six by lifeboat.
Migrants from another boat were pictured arriving at the Border Security Command compound in Dover, Kent, later on Monday.
Some 250 people arrived in three boats on Monday, according to Home Office figures.
Earlier this month, a record 230 people made the journey in a single boat. Dangerously overloaded boats like this are blamed on smuggling gangs.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has promised to “change tactics” to tackle the gangs.
