A woman survived 20 hours in the Ionian Sea after jumping from a cruise ship, Greek authorities confirmed on Monday.

The 44-year-old Salvadorian passenger jumped from the Royal Caribbean vessel Odyssey of the Seas early on Friday while the ship sailed southwest of Zakynthos island.

The woman later told rescuers she jumped because she wanted to disembark, a coastguard spokesperson told AFP.

Greek authorities launched a major search operation after the alert went out on Friday morning. Two coastguard boats and a navy helicopter headed to the area, while nearby vessels changed course to assist.

The cruise ship also joined the search efforts.

A passing freighter spotted the woman early on Saturday morning. She was fully conscious and floating in a lifebuoy. A Greek coastguard patrol boat collected her from the water.

Rescuers took her to Katakolo port before transferring her to hospital in the nearby city of Pyrgos. She is undergoing health tests, including a psychiatric evaluation ordered by a local prosecutor.

The woman spent a total of 20 hours in the water before her rescue.

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