8-year-old girl dies after falling several floors from cruise ship

An 8-year-old girl has died after she fell several floors from a cruise ship docked in Miami.

According to NBC Miami, Carnival Cruise Line's Glory was docked at Port Miami when the young girl fell around 8.15 am local time on Saturday morning. Police said that the 8-year-old fell from an upper deck to the ship's lower deck in the interior atrium. She was transported to the nearby Ryder Trauma Center in "extremely critical condition", but tragically passed away. Miami Fire Rescue captain Ignatius Carroll said in a press conference that the distance the girl fell has not been determined, but may have been "20 or so feet". He said:

"We understand that the child may have fallen 20 or so feet from a landing.”

He also told the Miami Herald that Miami-Dade Fire Rescue received the call just after 8am, and Miami Fire Rescue responded to assist. He added that when the fire service arrived, Miami-Dade rescue workers were trying to perform CPR on the young girl. Carnival Cruise Line said in a statement to NBC:

"The ship's medical team responded immediately and the child was transported to the ship's medical center. "She was subsequently transferred via ambulance to a local hospital. "The ship's command immediately contacted Miami-Dade Police Department which is on site. "Our most heartfelt care and concern is with the family at this very difficult time."

File photo of Carnival's Glory via Getty.