French coastguards rescued 11 migrants including two children whose vessel broke down as they tried to cross the English Channel to reach Britain, French maritime authorities said on Monday, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

Rescuers picked up six men, one woman and two kids unharm, off Cape Gris-Nez after their boat was sinking due to engine failure, they added.

The migrants were brought back to Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France and handed over to border police.

The maritime prefect, in the statement, warned migrants about the risky attempts to reach Britain via the Channel, which he said is "one of the busiest areas in the world and therefore dangerous for human life".