A two-year-old toddler is in a critical condition and fighting for its life after suffering a serious fall on board a cruise ship in Madeira. The incident occurred this morning while the Malta-flagged vessel, the Mein Schiff 7, was moored in the port of Funchal, the capital of the Madeiran archipelago.
Emergency Response Activated
The child, described locally as a foreign national, fell between 10 and 13 feet, according to Portuguese press reports. The alarm was raised immediately, prompting a rapid emergency medical response. Red Cross officials and a specialised Rapid Intervention Medical Team (EMIR) boarded the ship to provide urgent care.
The toddler was stabilised at the scene before being transported swiftly to Dr Nelio Mendonca Hospital in Funchal. Sources at the hospital have confirmed to local media that the child's injuries are "very serious." The Administration of the Ports of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (APRAM) issued a statement acknowledging the incident but did not disclose the child's age, nationality, or specific details of the fall.
Details of the Cruise Ship and Voyage
The incident took place on the Mein Schiff 7, a modern cruise liner built in 2024 and operated by TUI Cruises. The ship, which flies the Maltese flag, carries nearly 3,000 passengers and over 1,000 crew members. It is currently on a seven-day round trip voyage that began in Gran Canaria on April 20 and is scheduled to conclude on the same island next Monday.
This visit to Funchal was part of a Cruise Atlantic Islands itinerary, with the ship arriving from Las Palmas and planned to depart for La Palma on Thursday afternoon. Port officials had earlier announced the ship's arrival on social media, noting it was the vessel's final call of the season in Madeira, with a return scheduled for November.
Investigation Launched
An internal investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the tragic fall. The incident occurred within the ship's jurisdiction area while it was docked, raising questions about safety protocols and supervision.
The company managing Madeira's ports confirmed the child's transportation to hospital but provided no further information. The community and authorities are awaiting updates on the toddler's condition as medical teams work tirelessly to provide life-saving treatment.
