Today13:42 BSTPicture shows migrants disembarking in FranceMigrants involved in the small boat fire in the English Channel this morning have now been pictured disembarking the French rescue ship Argonaute in France.The ship transported 30 of the 157 people who were rescued to Port de Commerce in Boulogne-sur-Mer, northern France.Migrants disembark from the French rescue ship Argonaute following their rescue at sea(Image: AFP via Getty Images)Today13:29 BSTNearly 1,200 migrants arrived in UK last weekA total of 1,176 migrants entered the UK last week after crossing the English Channel in small boats, the latest data from the Home Office and Border Force Shows.They were brought in using 15 boats, with Wednesday being the busiest day last week.On that day, nine boats arrived, bringing in 752 people.No boats arrived on Monday, Friday and Sunday last week.Today12:56 BSTBoat is one of biggest ever to attempt Channel crossingThe number of people on the boat, which left the beach at Veules-les-Roses, near Dieppe, on Monday night, makes it one of the biggest ever to attempt to cross the Channel.A record 165 migrants crossed in a single vessel last month in a 13m (42ft) boat dubbed a "mega dinghy" by the media.The incident comes a day after Reform UK proposed using the Royal Navy to return migrants to France or Belgium under a plan called "operation fortress".The party has described the scheme as a humanitarian response.Responding to this morning's incident on X, party leader Nigel Farage said: "We must put a stop to this. Our plan will save lives."Deputy leader Richard Tice added: "Just like Reform policy: rescue and return. It’s the humanitarian thing to do. We must stop people dying."Today12:32 BSTWhen did rescued people arrive back in France?A total of 157 people were rescued following this morning's boat fire in the English Channel.The French Maritime Prefect stated that 30 of those were boarded on the BSAA Argonaute, 73 on the Minck vessel and 54 on British vessels.The 54 who boarded British vessels were later transferred to the BF Contender.All people rescued were taken back to France and were expected to disembark at Boulogne-sur-Mer at 12.30pm local time [11.30am BST] and met by rescue services.Today12:27 BSTBreakdown of resources sent to Channel rescueBelow is a breakdown of all the recources deployed to the English Channel this morning to rescue nearly 160 people following a small boat fire.The list, provided by the French Maritime Prefect is as follows:the state-chartered rescue ship Minck and its semi-rigid intervention boat (SRI);the chartered support and assistance vessel Argonautethe Dauphin helicopter of the detachment of flotilla 35F based in Le Touquet;the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) vessel RNLI 14 02 - Eastbourne;British Border Force ships: BSC Contender and BSC Courageous;a team of two nurses from SAMU 62 in Boulogne-sur-Mer.The vessel from the Calais maritime and port security platoon was also deployed to ensure the safety of shipwrecked people and crews in the area.Today12:24 BSTBoat deteriorated 'very rapidly' after engine caught fireThe French Maritime Prefect added that, after five of the people on board were rescued, the boat continued its crossing attempt over the Channel.This morning, however, while still in the French safety reference area but close to the British one, the boat's engine caught fire and "the vessel's integrity deteriorated very rapidly".A Mayday Relay message was sent out by the Regional Operational Surveillance and Rescue Centre "immediately" and available resources were sent "to rescue the shipwrecked migrants", the prefect said.Today12:20 BSTMigrants were 'determined to reach the United Kingdom'A statement from the French Maritime Prefect stated that the people on the boat were "determined to reach the United Kingdom".The authority said the migrant boat departed yesterday from the Veules-les-Roses area in Normandy, with the French Sea Rescue Society deployed from Dieppe.The Argonaute and the Minck ships were also sent to monitor the boat's crossing during the day and night yesterday and today.Five people needed to be rescued on board the vessel overnight, the prefect stated, and were brought back to the quay in Boulogne-sur-Mer.The prefect statement reads: "The remaining people on board refused the assistance offered by French resources."Determined to reach the United Kingdom, the migrants making the crossing in precarious boats refused assistance offered by French resources and only accepted it in situations of extreme urgency."Given the structural fragility of the systematically overcrowded boats, the decision was made not to force the migrants to board state rescue vessels, to avoid endangering their lives in the event of a shipwreck."Today12:06 BSTMore than 50 rescued by British shipsAccording to the French maritime prefecture, 54 people were rescued by British ships.Thirty were rescued by a French Navy ship, while another 73 by a separate French boat.Today11:59 BSTRescue operation is 'live' but no fatalitiesThe UK Government has also confirmed no fatalities have been recorded at this stage.A spokesperson said: "This morning, the Border Security Command was alerted to an incident in the Channel concerning a migrant small boat in distress in French waters."British vessels supported a French search and rescue operation."This is a live rescue operation but at this stage there have been no fatalities reported."Those on board will be safely returned to France."This incident underlines the terrible dangers of small boat crossings."We continue to work relentlessly with the French and our partners overseas to prevent these perilous journeys."Border Security Command Maritime and the RNLI supported the French Coastguard to conduct this morning's search and rescue operation.Nearly 160 people were rescued (file photo)(Image: PA)Today11:54 BSTPeople on board refused assistance from French authoritiesThe boat reportedly left from Veules-les-Roses in Normandy yesterday.French news outlet Le Monde reports that five passengers on board who were "in need of rescue" last night were disembarked in Boulogne-sur-Mer.The other people on the boat then "refused the assistance offered by French resources", according to the French maritime prefect.As the vessel continued its journey towards the UK this morning, the engine is understood to have caught fire and "the integrity of the boat [deteriorated] very rapidly".Today11:24 BSTPeople 'forced to jump into water'The people present on the small boat were forced to jump into the water when the vessel caught fire, French authorities have confirmed.A spokesperson told the Mirror: "This morning, a small boat caught fire on the boundary between French and British waters, forcing its occupants to jump into the water."French and British rescue services responded quickly. A total of 157 people were rescued and are currently being brought ashore at Boulogne-sur-Mer, where they will be attended to by the fire and rescue service (SDIS) and state-commissioned organisations."At this stage, there are no reported casualties. The operation is still ongoing."Today11:09 BSTFire took place in French region of ChannelA Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said: "A vessel caught fire earlier this morning whilst in the French search and rescue region. UK vessels and a lifeboat are assisting."Today11:06 BSTLifeboat launchedA spokesperson for RNLI said: "Eastbourne’s all-weather lifeboat launched at 6am today to an incident."Today11:03 BSTAlmost 160 migrants rescuedA total of 157 migrants have reportedly been rescued this morning as their boat caught fire while trying to cross the English Channel.French authorities told AFP: "A small boat caught fire at the border of French and British waters, leading its occupants to jump into the water."The statement added that no casualties have been reported "at this stage".Today10:54 BSTGood morningGood morning and thank you for joining our live coverage of this incident.We have approached the Home Office, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for comment.We will bring you their statements and more information as soon as we get them.‌