A global search is underway for the retired county sheriff’s deputy who disappeared while hiking on the Greek island of Amorgos on Tuesday, as friends and family of the tourist will travel to Greece to help find him.
The former police officer, identified as Albert Calibet, 58, of Hermosa Beach, California, left the port settlement of Aegiali, in the northwest of the island, shortly after 7 in the morning.
Their intended destination was Katapola, the island’s main port along the island’s western coast. It is estimated that the tour will last about four hours.
After she did not return after eight hours, a friend reported her missing.
A rescue operation was launched on Tuesday afternoon and reinforcements were requested from the island of Naxos.
Albert Calibet, 58, of Hermosa Beach, California, disappeared Tuesday on the Greek island of Amorgos after going on a hike.
In an interview with Fox the AngelsThe man’s brother, Oliver Calibet, said in a broken voice to the station: “My best hope is that they find him, we can cure him and bring him home.”
Oliver, who is desperate to bring his brother home, added: “We’ve been here almost three days and there’s no water.” I’m just… I’m very distraught.’
Some of Albert’s family and friends will fly to Athens to help search for the missing man.
According to those close to him, Albert is an experienced hiker, in good physical shape and with great survival skills. Although he is retired, he still works part time at the sheriff’s department.
He reportedly visited Greece 50 times. He also knows the island where she disappeared very well.
The missing man’s brother, Oliver Calibet, spoke with Fox News. He says he is “distressed” by the news of his brother’s disappearance and is desperate to bring him home.
Albert’s friends and family will travel to Greece to help in the rescue mission.
Albert is a retired sheriff’s deputy, but still works part time.
“I had completed the walk from Aegiali to Katapola several times in the past,” Calliope Despotidi, deputy mayor of Amorgos, told the news website. Greek reporter.
‘It’s strange because he is not a person who travels the route for the first time. He knows Amorgos better than I do.
“It is possible that he lost consciousness due to the heat and, with luck, found shade in one of the caves along the road,” the deputy mayor added.
Albert’s girlfriend, Debbie LeShane, posted on a local island Facebook group about his disappearance.
The social media post read: “Hi, you may have seen on the news that we are looking for my boyfriend who went hiking yesterday around 7am.” He was traveling from Aegiali to Katapola. He was seen in Chora. He is still missing. He may see helicopters circling in a few hours and rescue teams on the ground. If you have seen it please send me a message. Thank you.’
The American tourist missing on the Greek island of Amorgos (archive image)
The missing American left shortly after 7 a.m. from the port of Aegiali, in the northwest of the island. Their intended destination was Katapola, the island’s main port along the island’s western coast. It is estimated that the tour will last about four hours.
The last update he gave said: ‘CORRECTION!!! I was wrong when I posted that he was seen in Chora. He stopped for water and a coke near the church of Agios Nikolaos in Steki tou Machera!!!!! He’s still missing.’
She also wrote: ‘We are very worried!! …More rescue teams are arriving, including dogs and helicopters.”
A user of X, formerly Twitter, posted on the social platform about the missing tourist.
A few hours ago I saw a search helicopter go by looking for this man. It is incredibly hot here in Amorgos and the walking trails are completely exposed to the heat. It’s crazy to be walking.
Amorgos deputy mayor Calliope Despotidi said: ‘Calibet is very well known on the island. He has been visiting for several years and adds that the tourist “had completed the Aegiali-Ketapola trek several times in the past.”
The American tourist’s disappearance comes after British presenter and famous doctor Michael Mosey was found dead on the Greek island of Symi on Sunday. He had disappeared four days earlier when he went for a walk alone.
Police said Dr Mosley died of heat exhaustion after “sitting down and passing out” just meters from a holiday resort after walking around the Greek island in scorching 104F heat.
Dr Mosley, 67, was found dead next to a fence in the Agia Marina resort on Sunday morning, just 80 meters from a beach bar and safety.
Temperatures at the time were around 40°C and excessive heat is believed to have played a role in his death.
The scorching heat in Greece has caused a mini lockdown for two days starting today, with some schools closing and the Acropolis in Athens restricting visiting hours.
The sweltering temperatures have led the Ministry of Health to issue a warning to the elderly or those with illnesses to stay at home. Greek authorities have also advised anyone working outdoors to avoid strenuous activities from noon to 5 p.m.
Amorgos Island is also subject to a “severe high temperature warning” this week.
Calibet is said to be physically fit and an experienced hiker. He has visited Amorgos on numerous occasions and is familiar with the hiking route.