A 44-year-old woman from El Salvador was rescued early on Saturday, October 10th, 2026, after spending nearly 24 hours in the sea approximately 70 nautical miles (80 miles / 130 kilometers) southwest of Zakynthos, Greece. She was found conscious by the Hellenic Coast Guard and received first aid on board the rescue vessel.
Search and Rescue Operation
The woman was first spotted by a merchant vessel crew who noticed a flashing light attached to her lifebelt. Two Greek Coast Guard vessels, a Greek Air Force helicopter, and nearby merchant ships participated in the search. The rescue vessel took the woman to Katakolo port in
western Peloponnese, from where she was transported to a hospital in Pyrgos for medical observation and examinations.
Cruise Ship Involved and Itinerary Impact
The incident involved the Odyssey of the Seas, a Bahamas-flagged Quantum Ultra class cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean International with a capacity of around 4,200 passengers. The ship was sailing from Mykonos to Naples when the passenger went overboard. Odyssey of the Seas spent several hours circling the search area, resulting in cancellation of its scheduled Naples port call. The vessel adjusted its itinerary and completed its voyage at Civitavecchia/Rome to recover lost time.
Medical Care and Official Statements
The Hellenic Coast Guard confirmed the rescue, stating
the woman was conscious and given first aid on board. She was transported to the hospital in Pyrgos for “medical observation and to undergo medical tests.” A Greek coast guard spokesperson said the woman told rescuers she jumped because “she wanted to disembark.” A coast guard officer noted, “She was 20 hours at sea.”
Background and Unknowns
The circumstances under which the woman entered the water and how she came to have a lifebelt were not established at the time of reporting.
