A six-year-old Irish girl was last night reported to have suffered "serious injuries" in a swimming pool accident in Malta.
Local police said the child had got into difficulty in a swimming pool of a private residence in the Ghajnsielem area of the island of Gozo.
The incident is reported to have happened on Tuesday.
In a statement, the Malta Police Force said: "Yesterday, at about 8.30pm, health authorities in Gozo informed the Police that a six-year-old Irish girl had been admitted to hospital following an accident at a private residence in Triq Malta, Ghajnsielem.
"Preliminary investigations by the Gozo Police revealed that at about 5.30pm, the girl had found herself in difficulty while swimming in a pool. She was given first aid by family members until an ambulance arrived on site and conveyed her to the Gozo General Hospital.
"Later, the six-year-old was certified as suffering from serious injuries. A Magisterial Inquiry has been appointed into the case whilst Police investigations are still under way."
The Department of Foreign Affairs are said to be aware of the incident and standing by to provide consular assistance.
