The Home Office has launched an investigation after a surveillance drone caught fire on the M20 in Kent, causing disruption for motorists.
Incident on Busy Motorway
The incident happened at around 2pm on Sunday, 24 August, on the westbound carriageway between Junction 13 (Folkestone) and Junction 12 (Cheriton).
Pictures from the scene show the drone — marked with Home Office branding — lying on the hard shoulder as firefighters worked to extinguish smoke.
Two fire engines were sent, with crews using hose reel jets to bring the blaze under control. No injuries were reported.
By 3pm, traffic had cleared and all lanes had reopened.
Home Office Response
A Home Office spokesperson confirmed:
“We can confirm that a surveillance drone was involved in an incident in Kent. We are grateful to Kent Fire and Rescue Service and the Civil Aviation Authority for their swift response. An investigation into the incident is now underway.”
It is understood the drone may have crashed over water earlier and was being transported by vehicle when the fire broke out.
Background
The drone appears to be part of the fleet supplied under a three-year Home Office contract awarded in 2023 to Portuguese manufacturer Tekever.
The Tekever AR5 Evolution Mk2 aircraft can remain airborne for more than 20 hours, carrying advanced sensors including maritime radar and high-resolution day/night cameras. They are used primarily for surveillance over the English Channel, helping authorities track small boat crossings.
Traffic Disruption
The fire led to temporary lane closures and long delays on the motorway during the busy Bank Holiday weekend, with motorists urged to avoid the area.
More from: Channel surveillance · Home Office drone · Kent Fire and Rescue
