A woman survived nearly 20 hours in the sea after going overboard from a cruise ship near Greece. Greek officials confirmed the rescue on Wednesday. The incident occurred in waters off the Greek coast.
The passenger told rescuers she jumped from the vessel intentionally. Her stated reason was that she “wanted to disembark.” Officials did not release her name or nationality. The ship was traveling through the region at the time.
Crew members alerted authorities after discovering the woman was missing. A search operation began immediately. Multiple vessels and aircraft joined the effort. The coast guard coordinated the response across a wide area.
Rescuers located the woman early Wednesday morning. She was found alive in the water after roughly 20 hours. Medical personnel treated her for exposure and dehydration. Her condition was not immediately disclosed.
The cruise line has not issued a public statement. Investigators are reviewing the circumstances of the fall. Questions remain about how she entered the water unnoticed. Standard overboard detection systems vary by vessel.
Modern cruise ships use thermal cameras and motion sensors. These systems can alert crew when someone goes overboard. However, gaps in coverage still exist. The effectiveness of such technology depends on ship design and staffing.
The woman’s survival after nearly a day at sea is rare. Cold water and exhaustion typically reduce survival chances quickly. Greek authorities praised the rescue teams for their swift action. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
