General 18/08/2026 07:22 PM

Nearly 100 Migrants Rescued After Boat Breaks Down In English Channel

BERNAMA Malaysian National News Agency
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Nearly 100 Migrants Rescued After Boat Breaks Down In English Channel
Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham speaks with John Craig, Interim Chief Coastguard, and Duncan Capps, Border Security Commander (DG BSC), near a recovered small boat, which was used by migrants crossing the English Channel, during a visit to HM Coastguard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, in Dover, Britain, August 2, 2026. REUTERS/Jack Taylor/Pool

LONDON, Aug 18 (Bernama-PA Media/dpa) -- Nearly 100 migrants have been rescued after their inflatable dinghy broke down in the English Channel, reported PA Media/dpa.

The boat suffered engine failure shortly after leaving the French coast on Monday morning.

In total, 96 people were rescued and taken to the French 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 by the Press Association arriving at the Border Security Command compound in Dover, Kent, later on Monday.

Earlier this month, a record 230 people made the journey in a single boat.

Smuggling gangs appear to have begun loading more people into single boats in recent weeks.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has promised to "change tactics" to tackle the gangs.

-- NNN-BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa