44-year-old woman rescued after falling from cruise ship off Zakynthos

A 44-year-old woman was successfully rescued after falling overboard from a cruise ship flying the Bahamas flag in the Ionian Sea. The incident occurred approximately 70 to 72 nautical miles southwest of Zakynthos. A major search and rescue operation was launched by the Joint Search and Rescue Coordination Center (EKSED), involving the Hellenic Coast Guard, a military helicopter, and three merchant vessels passing through the area.

The victim was located by a cargo ship flying the Madeira flag and was subsequently retrieved by a Coast Guard rescue boat. At the time of the rescue, the woman was conscious. She was transported to the port of Katakolo for medical attention. While the search operation was characterized by 3 to 4 Beaufort winds, the rescue concluded successfully within 24 hours of the initial report.

The circumstances surrounding how the woman fell into the sea remain unclear and are currently under investigation. No further details regarding her identity or the specific cruise line have been released, and the incident is being processed by the relevant maritime authorities.