A toddler is fighting for life after reportedly falling several metres on a cruise ship that was moored in waters off Portugal.
The two-year-old was onboard TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 7 with their parents before plummeting between three and four metres below, The Sun reports.
The toddlers, who has been described as a “foreign national”, was stabilised at the scene and rushed to a hospital in Maderian’s capital of Funchal.
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Sources at Dr Nelio Mendocna Hospital in Funchal said the youngster sustained “very serious” injuries and was in a critical condition.
The vessel is currently on a seven-day round trip that departed Gran Canaria on April 20 and is due to dock on the same island on Monday.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated.
The Nightly has contacted TUI for comment.
The frightening ordeal comes after a spate of incidents on a Carnival Cruise where one woman died and a man remains missing after he fell overboard.
The Tasmanian woman, 67, was holidaying on the Carnival Splendor when she became distressed in waters at a popular snorkelling spot near Tangalooma shipwreck on April 17. Her body was found a short time later.
Police are investigating her death.
An extensive search was launched after a man, who was travelling on the same ship, vanished into waters north-east of Cape Moreton on Friday
Police on Tuesday suspended the extensive search for the man after a three-day effort.
“An extensive search and rescue operation continued for three days,” a Queensland Police spokesperson said.
“Water police were assisted by AMSA, POLAIR, QG Air, Surf Life Saving Queensland Helicopters, Marine Rescue Jacobs Well and North Stradbroke Island, Redcliffe Coast Guard, merchant ships, the cruise line as well as commercial aviation and marine vessels.
“Officers continue to be in contact with the man’s family who have been advised of this update.”
