Royal Caribbean cruise passenger who fell overboard rescued after 20 hours in the Ionian Sea

A cruise ship passenger has been rescued after she fell overboard in waters off the Greek Islands last Friday morning.

Footage has now emerged of the moment the 44-year-old woman was found floating in darkness about 20 hours later.

The Salvadoran national went overboard near the island of Zakynthos , in the Ionian Sea, according to the Hellenic Coast Guard.

“The local emergency plan was immediately activated, and searches were launched to locate her,” the Coast Guard said.

She was found conscious in the water, in the early hours of October 10, and given first aid.

The woman had been in the water for about 20 hours, according to local reports.

In footage of the rescue she could be seen floating in a ring-shaped life preserver.

Rescue teams threw a rope to the woman, who was then pulled onto the cargo boat which had been assisting in the search for her.

“Our Care Team is actively providing support and assistance to the guest’s loved ones during this difficult time,” the Royal Caribbean Group said.

She was a passenger on Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas cruise ship, USA Today and CBS News reported.