A photograph of the missing American on Greece’s Amorgos has been released by the authorities to assist the search and rescue operations on the island.
59-year-old Eric Albert Calibet has been missing since mid-day Tuesday. He went for a hike on a challenging path on Amorgos, but has not returned or been seen since. The man reportedly had two mobile phones with him but had not answered them. His last contact was reportedly with his sister. He sent her a photo of the trail sign.
The disappearance of the 59-year-old was reported to the Amorgos Police Station by a friend who was vacationing with him on the island. The friend told the police that the retired police officer began hiking this morning from Aegiali, following a marked path with the final destination planned to be Katapola Amorgos. The estimated journey time for this trek is around four hours and five minutes.
Missing American “well-known” on Greece’s Amorgos
“Calibet is well-known on the island. He has been visiting for several years,” said Calliope Despotidi the deputy mayor of Amorgos.
Speaking to Greek Reporter she said that he was known to the locals for his love of hiking. “He had completed the Aegiali-Katapola hike several times in the past.”
The Greek official said that a search and rescue operation is underway with police teams, the fire brigade, a volunteer rescue team, and local residents who know the area well.
“It is strange because he is not a person who walked the route for the first time. He knows Amorgos better than me,” Despotidi told Greek Reporter.
She expressed hope that he will be found alive and well, but when pressed she admitted that the heatwave that is currently baking Greece may have played a role in his disappearance. “He may have lost consciousness because of the heat and hopefully found shade in one of the caves along the route,” Despotidi said.
Despotidi admitted that there are parallels between the American tourist’s disappearance and the tragic death on Symi of Dr Michael Mosley, a TV doctor and celebrity in the UK.
His body was discovered in a rocky area of Agia Marina, north of the town of Pedi, where he was last seen in a CCTV video. His body was spotted by Eleftherios Papakaloudoukas, the mayor of Symi, and a group of journalists who were combing the area of Agia Marina on a boat.
She just expressed the hope that Calibet has not met the same fate.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
