A passenger who went overboard from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship has been rescued alive after reportedly spending 20 hours at sea near a Greek island. The 44-year-old woman, from El Salvador, was found in the early hours of Saturday, 10 October, inside a lifebuoy by the MSC ROSSELLA III cargo ship.
The incident occurred on Friday, 9 October, as the Odyssey of the Seas was sailing towards Zakynthos. Coast guard authorities launched an extensive search operation involving rescue boats, other ships, and a Hellenic Air Force Super Puma helicopter.
The woman was located approximately 70 nautical miles south-west of Zakynthos. After being recovered by a Coast Guard rescue vessel and given first aid, she was taken to the port of Katakolo and subsequently to a hospital in Pyrgos, Santorini, for medical observation. The Katakolo Port Authority is investigating the circumstances of the incident.