Greek authorities are intensifying their search for two American tourists who disappeared on separate islands within days of each other.
On Mathraki Island, west of Corfu, an unidentified American man was reported missing between Tuesday and Thursday. He was last seen at a local tavern on Tuesday. His Greek American friend, with whom he was staying, reported him missing on Thursday after finding the house door open, lights and air conditioning on, but the man’s belongings, including his ID and travel documents, missing. The small island, home to only 40-50 permanent residents during the winter months, lacks a police station or coast guard, necessitating intervention by officers from Corfu. Search and rescue efforts, which began Thursday, were temporarily suspended Friday due to harsh weather conditions but are expected to resume Saturday.
On Amorgos Island, 59-year-old Eric Albert Calibet, a former Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department deputy, disappeared on Tuesday. Calibet, an experienced hiker familiar with the area, embarked on a hike at 7 a.m. local time and was last sighted around 11 a.m. by fellow hikers on a trail. His disappearance has triggered a search operation by Greece’s national Hellenic Police.
These incidents coincide with a severe heatwave gripping Greece, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The extreme weather conditions are adding another layer of urgency to the ongoing search and rescue operations.
In the case of the American man on Mathraki Island, search efforts are complicated by the island’s limited infrastructure and challenging weather conditions. For Calibet on Amorgos Island, the search is focused on rugged hiking trails and remote areas where he was last seen.
“We are committed to finding them and are utilizing all available resources, including drones, sniffer dogs, and search teams from neighboring islands,” a police spokesperson said.
