63 People Stranded in the Ionian Sea Safely Rescued by Cruise Ship

A cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line rescued at least 63 people who were stranded in the Ionian Sea.

On Wednesday, Oct. 22, Greek authorities requested assistance from the cruise company after more than 60 individuals were spotted in Mediterranean waters, according to USA Today.

The Norwegian Epic, which had departed from Civitavecchia, Italy, the day before and was scheduled to visit Greece, Malta, Italy, and France, responded to the call, per CruiseMapper.

“The individuals were brought on board and tended to by the ship’s crew, who provided a medical evaluation, food, and other items for their comfort,” a Norwegian Cruise Line representative told USA Today.

Following directives from the Rescue Coordination Centre, the vessel continued to Kalamata, Greece, where those rescued were handed over to local authorities.

As a result of the diversion, a scheduled port stop in Santorini was canceled, reported Maritime Executive. The Norwegian Epic, which can carry over 4,000 passengers, resumed its itinerary after the rescue operation.

“We appreciate our guests’ patience and understanding during this unexpected interruption to their journey,” Norwegian Cruise Line said.

The company did not release details about the rescued individuals. However, some passengers claimed on social media that they appeared to be migrants.

The Hellenic Republic Ministry of Migration and Asylum, European Commission, Hellenic Coast Guard, Hellenic Police, and Norwegian Cruise Line were contacted for comment.

The incident occurred about a month after a Royal Caribbean ship diverted its course to save approximately 12 people in the Caribbean Sea, who had been drifting on a disintegrating makeshift raft off the coast of Mexico before being brought aboard and given water.