Global search launched for missing LA County Sheriff’s deputy in Greece who has visited island where he vanished ‘more than 50 times’

A global search has been launched for the retired deputy sheriff who went missing while hiking on the Greek island of Amorgos on Tuesday, while the tourist’s friends and family will travel to Greece to help find him.

The former agent, identified as 58-year-old Albert Calibet of Hermosa Beach, California, took off from the port settlement of Aegiali in the island’s northwest shortly after 7 a.m.

His intended destination was Katapola, the island’s main port along the west coast of the island. The trip is estimated to take about four hours.

After not returning after eight hours, he was reported missing by a friend.

A rescue operation was launched on Tuesday afternoon and reinforcements were called in from Naxos island.

In an interview with Vos Los Angeleschoked up, the man’s brother, Oliver Calibet, told the broadcaster: “My best hope is that they find him, and we can patch him up and bring him home.”

Oliver, desperate to get his brother home, added: “We’re going to be here for almost three days, and there’s no water. I’m just…I’m very desperate.”

Some of Albert’s family and friends will fly to Athens to help in the search for the missing man.

According to those close to him, Albert is a seasoned hiker who is in good physical condition and has sharp survival skills. Although retired, he still works part-time for the sheriff’s department.

He has reportedly visited Greece 50 times. He is also very familiar with the island where he went missing.

The missing man’s brother, Oliver Calibet, spoke to Fox News. He says he is ‘distraught’ by the news of his brother’s disappearance and is desperate to bring him home

Albert’s friends and family travel to Greece to help with the rescue mission

Albert is a retired sheriff’s deputy but still works part-time

“He had completed the walk from Aegiali to Katapola several times in the past,” Calliope Despotidi, the deputy mayor of Amorgos, told the news website Greek reporter.

‘It’s strange because it’s not someone who has walked the route for the first time. He knows Amorgos better than I do.’

“He may have lost consciousness due to the heat and hopefully found shade in one of the caves along the route,” the deputy mayor added.

Albert’s girlfriend Debbie LeShane posted about his disappearance on a local Facebook group for the island.

The social media post read: ‘Hello, you may have seen on the news that we are looking for my friend who left for a walk around 7am yesterday. He was traveling from Aegiali to Katapola. He was seen in Chora. He is still missing. You may see helicopters circling within a few hours, plus rescue teams on the ground. If you have seen him, please message me. Thank you.’

The American tourist disappeared on the Greek island of Amorgos (file image)

The missing American left the port settlement of Aegiali in the northwest of the island shortly after 7 a.m. His intended destination was Katapola, the island’s main port along the west coast of the island. The trip is estimated to take about four hours

The last update she gave read: ‘CORRECTION!!! I was wrong when I posted that he was seen in Chora. He stopped for water and coke near the church of Agios Nikolaos in Steki tou Machera!!!!! He’s still missing.’

She also wrote, “We are worried!! … More rescue teams are arriving, including dogs and helicopters.”

An X user, formerly Twitter, posted on the social platform about the missing tourist.

‘I saw a search helicopter come over a few hours ago looking for this man. Incredibly warm here on Amorgos, and hiking trails completely exposed to heat. Madness to walk.’

Vice Mayor of Amorgos Calliope Despotidi said: “Calibet is well known on the island. He has been coming there for several years and adds that the tourist has “completed the Aegiali-Ketapola hike several times in the past.”

The disappearance of the American tourist comes after British presenter and celebrity doctor Michael Mosey was found dead on the Greek island of Symi on Sunday. He had gone missing four days earlier while going for a walk alone.

Police said that Dr. Mosley died of heat exhaustion after he ‘sat down and lost consciousness’ just meters from a holiday resort after walking across the Greek island in the scorching 40 degrees Celsius heat.

Dr. Mosley, 67, was found dead on Sunday morning near a gate in the Agia Marina resort, just 80 meters from a beach bar and security.

The temperature at the time was 40 degrees Celsius and the excessive heat is believed to have played a role in his death.

The scorching heat in Greece has prompted a two-day mini-lockdown from today, with some schools closed and the Acropolis in Athens restricting visiting hours.

The sweltering temperatures have prompted the Ministry of Health to warn the elderly and sick people to stay indoors. Greek authorities have also advised anyone working outside the home to avoid strenuous activities between noon and 5 p.m.

The island of Amorgos is also under a ‘warning for severe high temperatures’ this week.

Calibet is said to be in good physical condition and is a seasoned hiker. He has visited Amorgos several times and is familiar with the hiking trail