A Salvadorian woman has been rescued after spending 20 hours in the Ionian Sea, allegedly after jumping off a cruise ship. The Greek coastguard reported the incident, which happened early on Friday when the Royal Caribbean ship, Odyssey of the Seas, was near Zakynthos island.
The 44-year-old woman reportedly told rescuers she jumped because she wanted to leave the ship. The Greek coastguard was alerted, and two of its boats, a navy helicopter, and other nearby ships were involved in the search effort.
The cruise ship also participated in the rescue operation. A freighter eventually spotted the woman, who was conscious and in a life ring, on Saturday morning. She was retrieved by a Greek coastguard patrol boat.
A video released by the coastguard shows the rescue, with a crew throwing a rope to the woman who was floating in an orange life ring in the dark waters.
After her rescue, the woman was taken to the port of Katakolo and subsequently to a hospital in Pyrgos for health assessments, including a psychiatric evaluation as mandated by a local prosecutor.
This incident is reminiscent of a similar event last year involving a man who jumped off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship near San Juan. The man reportedly jumped to avoid paying over $16,000 in gambling debt. He was rescued by someone on a jet ski and later faced charges related to avoiding monetary reporting requirements while entering the U.S.
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