Russian tourist rescued in Crete after 22 hours at sea on a floating mattress

The 55-year-old doctor spent 20 hours at sea on an inflatable mattress until a Frontex pilot ound her. Her adventurewas reported around the world.

The 55-year-old lady who is on holidays in Rethymno, with her husband and daughter, was reported missing after she was last seen on Wednesday taking the floating mattress from the hotel’s swimming pool and heading towards the beach.

After failing to return by the evening, her husband informed the Hotel who called local police.

After a large- scale operation launched by the Coast Guard and police in Rethymno and Chania, she was found 6-7 nautical miles (12 kilomtres) east of the hotel on Thursday, at around 11:30am, after a Frontex aircraft spotted the woman on the inflatable mattress floating off the area of Skaleta.

Police say it was most likely that the mattress was swept away by the currents and strong wind, as Greece faced torrential rain and thunderstorms over the last few days.

The woman was transferred to hospital where she is suffering from hypothermia, however doctors say she is doing well considering her ordeal. She is of course also suffering from sun burn

The woman from Zelenograd, near Moscow, visited Crete with her 59-year-old husband, Oleg, and her 28-year-old daughter, Yulia. The latter informed the authorities when Couldo did not return to the hotel after her afternoon swim.