Cruise Passenger Rescued After 20-Hour Ordeal at Sea
WHO:
CBS News - A 44-year-old Salvadorian woman was rescued.
CBS News - The Greek coastguard was involved in the rescue operation.
WHAT:
CBS News - The woman was picked up by a Greek coastguard patrol boat after being located by a passing freighter.
CBS News - A video released by the coastguard shows a crew throwing a rope to the woman floating inside an orange life ring in the water in the dark.
CBS News - The woman underwent health tests that include a psychiatric evaluation ordered by a local prosecutor after being taken to a hospital in Pyrgos.
CBS News - The woman jumped off a cruise ship into the Ionian Sea.
CBS News - She was rescued after 20 hours in the water.
CBS News - The woman stated she jumped because "she wanted to disembark."
CBS News - A passing freighter located the woman, who was fully conscious, in a life ring.
WHERE:
CBS News - The incident occurred southwest of the island of Zakynthos.
CBS News - The woman was taken to the port of Katakolo and then to a hospital in Pyrgos.
WHEN:
CBS News - The incident occurred early on Friday.
CBS News - The woman was rescued early on Saturday.
WHY:
CBS News - The psychiatric evaluation was ordered by a local prosecutor following the incident.
CBS News - The woman jumped off the cruise ship because "she wanted to disembark."
HOW:
CBS News - The coastguard dispatched two boats and a navy helicopter after an alert was issued early on Friday.
CBS News - Two coastguard boats and a navy helicopter were dispatched to the area after an alert was issued.
CBS News - Other nearby ships were rerouted to assist in the search.
CBS News - The Odyssey of the Seas joined the search efforts.
(UPDATED October 14, 2026 22:01 UTC)
A woman was rescued by a Greek coastguard patrol boat after being located by a passing freighter, with video footage showing the crew throwing a rope to her as she floated in an orange life ring in the dark. Following her rescue, she was taken to a hospital in Pyrgos, where she underwent health tests, including a psychiatric evaluation ordered by a local prosecutor. The coastguard had dispatched two boats and a navy helicopter after an alert was issued early on Friday.
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(UPDATED October 14, 2026 16:03 UTC)
A 44-year-old Salvadorian woman was rescued after spending 20 hours in the Ionian Sea, having jumped off a cruise ship because she wanted to disembark. The Greek coastguard, along with two boats and a navy helicopter, was involved in the rescue operation, which was aided by a passing freighter that located her in a life ring. After being rescued, she was taken to the port of Katakolo and then transported to a hospital in Pyrgos for further care.