Amorgos, Greece – Greek officials are currently conducting a search for a missing US tourist who disappeared while hiking alone on the picturesque island of Amorgos. Albert Calibet, aged 59, was reported missing by a friend after failing to return from his hike on Tuesday afternoon.
Multiple agencies, including volunteers from the coastguard and teams from neighboring islands, are assisting in the search efforts for Mr. Calibet, as reported by Greek public broadcaster ERT News. This incident follows closely after the recent disappearance of British television presenter Michael Mosley on the island of Symi, where his body was tragically discovered four days later.
Authorities have expanded their search to cover a significant portion of Amorgos, utilizing resources such as drones to scour the island’s terrain. Despite efforts to contact Mr. Calibet via his two mobile phones, his whereabouts remain unknown, causing distress to his family, particularly his brother Oliver Calibet, who expressed his anguish on Fox 11 TV in Los Angeles.
Mr. Calibet, described as a retired police officer from Los Angeles County, began his hike from the village of Aegiali, intending to travel to Katapola. Local sources indicate that he briefly interacted with a woman during his journey, showing her his planned route and purchasing refreshments before continuing on.
The sudden disappearance of Mr. Calibet has deeply affected the close-knit community on Amorgos, where he had been a familiar visitor. While the path he took is commonly traversed and not considered challenging, the island has been experiencing a heatwave with temperatures reaching as high as 35C (95F), raising concerns about his well-being.
Authorities, alongside Mr. Calibet’s family, are tirelessly working to locate him and ensure his safe return. Despite the challenging circumstances, the search efforts continue with the hope of bringing closure to this troubling situation. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance shed light on the potential risks of solo hiking in unfamiliar terrain, prompting a renewed emphasis on safety measures for travelers exploring remote destinations.