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 county sheriff deputy who went missing while on a hike on the Greek island of Amorgos on Tuesday, as the tourist's friends and family are set to travel to Greece to help find him.

The former cop, who has been identified as 58-year-old Albert Calibet from Hermosa Beach, California, departed from the port settlement of Aegiali in the northwest of the island shortly after 7 am.

His intended destination was Katapola, the island's main port along the western coast of the island. The trail is estimated to take around four hours.

After he failed to return 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 Fox Los Angeles, the man's brother Oliver Calibet choked up, telling the broadcaster: 'My best hope is that they find him, and we can patch him up and get him home'. 

Oliver, who is desperate to bring his brother home, added: 'We are going on almost three days here, and there's no water. I'm just...I'm very distraught.'

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

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

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

'He had completed the Aegiali to Katapola hike several times in the past,' Calliope Despotidi, the deputy mayor of Amorgos, told news website Greek Reporter.

'It is strange because he is not a person who walked the route for the first time. He knows Amorgos better than me.'

'He may have lost consciousness because of the heat and hopefully found shade in one of the caves along the route,' the deputy mayor added. 

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

The social media post said: 'Hello, you may have seen on the news we are looking for my boyfriend that left for a hike yesterday about 7 am. He was traveling from Aegiali to Katapola. He was seen in Chora. He is still missing. You may see helicopters circling in a few hours plus rescue teams on the ground. If you have seen him please send me a message. Thank you.' 

The latest update she gave said: 'CORRECTION!!! I was incorrect when I posted he was seen in Chora. He stoped for a water and a coke Near Church of Agios Nikolaos at Steki tou Machera!!!!! He is still missing.'

She also wrote: 'We are worried sick!! ... More rescue teams are arriving including dogs and helicopters'. 

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

'Saw search helicopter go over a few hours ago searching for this man. Incredibly hot here on Amorgos, and walking trails completely exposed to heat. Madness to be walking.'

Deptuty Mayor of Amorgos Calliope Despotidi said: 'Calibet is well-known on the island. He has been visiting for several years, adding that the tourist 'had completed the Aegiali-Ketapola hike several times in the past'.

The American tourist's disappearance comes after British presenter and celebrity doctor Michael Mosey was found dead on Sunday in the Greek island of Symi. He had gone missing four days before when he set off on a walk on his own.

Police said Dr Mosley died of heat exhaustion after 'sitting down and losing consciousness' just yards from a holiday resort after walking across the Greek island in searing 104F heat.

Dr Mosley, 67, was found dead by a fence at the resort of Agia Marina on Sunday morning just 260 feet from a beach bar and safety.

Temperatures at the time had been nudging 40C and the excessive heat is thought to have played a role in his death.

Searing heat in Greece has prompted a mini lockdown for two days starting today, with some schools closing and the Acropolis in Athens restricting visiting hours.

The sweltering temperatures have prompted the Health Ministry to issue a warning to older people or people with illnesses to stay indoors. Greek authorities have also advised anyone who works outdoors to avoid strenuous activity from noon to 5pm. 

The island of Amorgos is also subject to a 'severe high temperature warning' this week.