Greek authorities are intensifying their search for two American tourists reported missing on separate islands within days of each other.
Mathraki Island: An unidentified American man vanished from Mathraki Island, west of Corfu, sometime between Tuesday and Thursday. He was last seen at a local tavern on Tuesday. His Greek American friend, with whom he was staying, alerted authorities on Thursday after discovering 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, requiring officers from Corfu to handle the investigation. Search and rescue efforts, which began Thursday, were temporarily suspended Friday due to harsh weather conditions but are expected to resume Saturday.
Amorgos Island: Albert Calibet, a 59-year-old former Los Angeles Sheriff's Department deputy, disappeared on Amorgos Island 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 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.
