A 44-year-old woman was rescued after spending approximately 20 hours in the water following a fall from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in the Mediterranean Sea.
The woman, who is originally from El Salvador, was found alive on October 10 after an extensive search operation involving multiple vessels and a helicopter, according to the Hellenic Coast Guard.
She had been traveling aboard the Odyssey of the Seas, which departed from Italy on October 4 for a weeklong Mediterranean cruise. The ship was sailing off the coast of Greece when the woman reportedly fell overboard on the morning of October 9.
Cargo ship crew spotted the woman in the water
Following the incident, a local emergency response plan was activated, alerting nearby vessels and mobilizing rescue teams to search the area.
The operation ultimately led to a remarkable discovery when the cargo ship MSC Rossella III, which had joined the search effort, located the missing woman.
Footage released by the Hellenic Coast Guard shows the moment the crew spotted her in the water, where she was floating with the help of an orange life ring.
Crew members threw a rope toward the woman and called out to check on her condition. She was able to grab hold of the rope and pull herself closer before being brought aboard.
Royal Caribbean responds to the incident
After her rescue, the woman received first aid from the crew. She was transported to Katakolo, Greece, where she was taken to a hospital for medical monitoring and examinations.
Authorities have launched a preliminary investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a statement, the cruise line said: “We immediately launched a search and rescue effort and are working with authorities.
“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.”
Despite preparations, surviving a fall into the ocean can be difficult, making successful rescues especially significant. In this case, the 44-year-old woman’s survival after approximately 20 hours in the water marked a fortunate outcome to an incident that prompted a major search operation.
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