Woman rescued after 20 hours at sea near Greek island following cruise ship jump

A 44-year-old woman from El Salvador was rescued after spending 20 hours in the Ionian Sea near Zakynthos on October 9–10, 2026, following an incident aboard the Royal Caribbean Odyssey of the Seas. The woman reportedly jumped from the cruise ship around 6 a.m. on Friday while it was sailing approximately 72 nautical miles southwest of Zakynthos en route from Mykonos to Naples. According to a Greek coastguard spokesperson, she stated she jumped because "she wanted to disembark."

The Hellenic Coast Guard launched an immediate search operation involving two patrol boats, a Super Puma helicopter, and coordination with nearby vessels. Early on Saturday morning, the cargo ship MSC Rossella III, flying the flag of Madeira and participating in the search, spotted a flashing light attached to a lifebuoy and located the woman conscious inside it, approximately two nautical miles from her reported entry point into the water. A coastguard patrol boat recovered her and provided first aid treatment.

The woman was transported to the port of Katakolo and subsequently taken by ambulance to a hospital in Pyrgos on the Greek island of Santorini for medical evaluation. She was found to be suffering from mild hypothermia but was alert and responsive. A local prosecutor ordered a psychiatric evaluation as part of her hospital assessment. The cruise ship cancelled its scheduled port call in Naples to participate in the search operation. The Katakolo Port Authority announced it is investigating the incident.