More than 170 migrants were rescued after the vessel they were using to cross the English Channel caught fire on Tuesday morning. The boat, which had departed from France on Monday night, was attempting to reach the UK when its engine ignited, according to the French maritime prefecture of the Channel and North Sea. The incident involved a revised figure of 173 migrants, surpassing the previous record for the largest single vessel carrying migrants attempting the crossing.

All rescued migrants were brought to Boulogne-sur-Mer in France. Eleven individuals sustained minor injuries. French prosecutors have initiated an investigation into the incident, and an Egyptian national has been taken into police custody in connection with the event. The UK government stated that all individuals will be returned to France.

Initially, five people on board the vessel required rescue overnight. The French maritime prefecture reported that the remaining individuals on board refused assistance from French patrol boats, determined to reach the United Kingdom. They only accepted help in situations of extreme emergency due to the structural fragility of the boats used for Channel crossings.

However, the situation rapidly deteriorated when the engine caught fire on Tuesday morning, compromising the vessel's integrity. Rescue operations involved assets from both France and the UK, including the RNLI Eastbourne lifeboat and UK Border Force vessels BSC Contender and BSC Courageous. The French maritime prefecture coordinated a significant response involving 40 firefighters, 13 police officers, seven interpreters, and medical personnel.

A UK government spokesperson confirmed that the Border Security Command was alerted to a migrant small boat in distress in French waters. British vessels assisted in the operation, and no fatalities have been reported thus far. The spokesperson emphasized that the incident highlights the perilous dangers associated with small boat crossings and affirmed ongoing efforts with French and international partners to prevent such journeys.

The number of migrants on board, 173, exceeded the previous record of 165 people who reached the UK in late June on a 42-foot boat. This latest incident underscores the persistent challenges and risks involved in cross-Channel migration attempts.

The French maritime prefecture stated that they decided not to intervene further at an earlier stage, given the migrants' refusal of assistance and the initial assessment of the boat's condition. However, the fire significantly escalated the emergency, necessitating a full-scale rescue operation.

Authorities are continuing their investigations into the circumstances surrounding the fire and the organized criminal gangs suspected of facilitating these dangerous voyages. The incident is expected to fuel further debate on immigration policy and border security measures.