Salvadoran woman rescued after 20 hours in Ionian Sea

cruise passenger rescue Ionian Sea Odyssey of the Seas overboard incident maritime search and rescue

A 44-year-old Salvadoran woman was rescued from the Ionian Sea after spending approximately 20 hours in the water. The incident occurred after she went overboard from the Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Odyssey of the Seas, which was traveling from Mykonos to Naples.

The woman was reported missing around 6:00 a.m. on Friday, October 9, near the island of Zakynthos. Following the report, Greek authorities launched an emergency search operation involving the Coast Guard, patrol vessels, and an Air Force Super Puma helicopter.

She was eventually spotted in the early hours of Saturday, October 10, by the MSC Rossella III, a cargo vessel. The crew of the cargo ship identified her by the light from her lifebuoy. A Coast Guard rescue boat subsequently recovered the woman, who was conscious, and transported her to the port of Katakolo.