A dramatic rescue unfolded Tuesday afternoon at the Port of Souda in Crete, when a 30-year-old crew member from a cruise ship plunged into the sea under unexplained circumstances.

The woman, identified as a Tunisian national working as an assistant seaman, fell overboard while the cruise ship flagged in the Bahamas, was docked at the port. The reason behind her fall remains unclear, prompting an ongoing investigation by Greek authorities.

Greek Coast Guard officials swiftly launched a rescue operation involving patrol vehicles, a vessel, and assistance from a launch. A life jacket was reportedly thrown from the cruise ship as part of the emergency response.

The woman was located in the water and retrieved by a Coast Guard vessel. She was conscious when pulled ashore and immediately examined by the ship’s medical personnel, who determined that her health condition was stable.

Chania Port Authority provided the following statement:

"In the afternoon hours yesterday, the Chania Port Authority was informed of the fall of a woman into the sea, in the port of Souda. Immediately, LS-EL.AKT patrol vehicles went to the scene, while with the assistance of a launch and a cruise ship (C/Z), flagged in the Bahamas, from which a life jacket was thrown, the woman was retrieved conscious. She is a 30-year-old foreigner (Tunisian citizen) sailor (specialty of assistant), a crew member of the above C/Z. The 30-year-old, after examination by the C/Z's doctor, was diagnosed as being in good health."

A preliminary investigation into the incident is being led by the Chania Port Authority. Authorities have yet to release further details on what may have led to the fall.

We extend our heartfelt wishes for a full and swift recovery to the crew member.