A two-year-old child has been rushed to hospital with “very serious” injuries after reportedly falling from TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 7 while the ship was docked in Funchal, Madeira, as an investigation into the circumstances remains ongoing
A two-year-old child is “fighting for its life” after allegedly falling from a TUI Cruises ship in Madeira. The toddler, who has been identified locally as a “foreign national” travelling with its parents, was stabilised at the scene before being whisked to hospital.
The incident occurred this morning while the cruise liner was docked in Funchal, the capital of Madeira. Portuguese media report that the child fell between 10 and 13 feet, with the circumstances surrounding the incident still under investigation.
The vessel has been identified as the Mein Schiff 7, one of the newest additions to the TUI fleet, capable of accommodating nearly 3,000 passengers. Currently, it’s on a seven-day round trip which commenced in Gran Canaria on April 20 and is set to conclude on the same island next Monday, reports the Mirror.
Sources at Dr Nelio Mendonca Hospital in Funchal have informed local media that the toddler’s injuries are “very serious” and that the child is battling for its life.
An internal probe into the incident is believed to have been initiated. Red Cross officials and a ‘rapid intervention’ medical team were dispatched as soon as the alarm was raised.
Just prior to its arrival, Funchal Port officials announced on social media: “The Port of Funchal is welcoming two cruise ships this Wednesday, bringing close to 4,000 passengers and 2,00 crew members.
“Mein Schiff 7, operated by TUI Cruises and handled by JFM Shipping, was the first to arrive for a 38-hour call with an overnight stay, carrying 2,936 passengers and 1,037 crew members.
“The vessel arrived from Las Palmas and will depart on Thursday at 2pm towards La Palma, as part of a one-week Cruise Atlantic Islands (CAI) itinerary. This is its final call of the season in Madeira, with a return scheduled for November.”
The firm overseeing Madeira’s ports confirmed a youngster had been taken to Dr Nelio Mendonca Hospital in Funchal following an incident aboard the cruise liner while it was moored at the city’s port.
It declined to disclose any details regarding the child’s age or nationality or provide specifics about what had occurred.
The company said in a statement: “The Administration of the Ports of the Autonomous Region of Madeira [APRAM] became aware of an incident on board the ship Mein Schiff 7 involving a child. The incident occurred within the ship’s jurisdiction area.
“The Regional Integrated Medical Emergency System was activated, with support and assessment carried out on site by the Rapid Intervention Medical Team (EMIR), and the child was transported to Dr Nelio Mendonça Hospital’s AandE department.”