See more of our coverage in your search results.
A woman plunged into the sea on a Royal Caribbean cruise near a Greek island and was found desperately clinging to a lifebuoy after spending 20 hours at sea, according to coast guard officials.
The 44-year-old El Salvadoran passenger went overboard on the Odyssey of the Seas ship early Friday— and was spotted conscious in the Ionian Sea near the island of Zakynthos early Saturday, Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, according to USA Today.
Footage shows the dramatic moment coast guards tossed her a rope and pulled her to safety in the dark waters after spotting “a flashing light” attached to her life preserver, according to a press release from the Hellenic Coast Guard.
A passing cargo ship first spotted the woman and she was later picked up by the Greek coast guard patrol boat.
The woman allegedly told her rescuers she jumped from the vessel because “she wanted to disembark,” a coast guard spokesperson told AFP.
“She was 20 hours at sea,” the officer said.
Officials rushed her to hospital for a medical examination from the port of Katakolo.
The tourist had left for a week-long cruise that departed from Civitavecchia, Italy, on Oct. 4, according to USA Today.
“We immediately launched a search and rescue effort and are working with authorities,” Royal Caribbean Group, the cruise line’s parent company, told the outlet.
“Our Care Team is actively providing support and assistance to the guest’s loved ones during this difficult time. For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share.”
Royal Caribbean did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
An investigation is ongoing.
