More than 170 migrants rescued after boat catches fire in Channel

More than 170 migrants have been rescued after the boat they were using to cross the Channel caught fire on Tuesday morning, as the UK government said "all will be returned" to France.

The boat was attempting to cross to the UK when its engine caught fire, according to the French maritime prefecture of the Channel and North Sea.

It had originally reported 157 migrants were rescued, but has since revised that figure up to 173. All have been taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer in France, with 11 people suffering from minor injuries.

Border Security Minister Anna Turley said the incident "shows the dangers of these illegal crossings and the ruthless gangs behind them".

French authorities said the boat left France on Monday night.

Overnight "five people on board the vessel required rescue... the remaining people on board refused the assistance offered by the French patrol boats", the French maritime prefecture said.

"Determined to reach the United Kingdom, migrants crossing the Channel in small boats refused assistance offered by French emergency service, accepting it only in situations of extreme emergency," it said in a statement.

Because of the "structural fragility" of boats used to cross the Channel, it said they decided not to intervene further at that stage.