Second American missing on Greek islands, authorities say

(GREECE) — Greek authorities are searching for an American tourist who disappeared this week while visiting an island off the coast, just days after another American tourist disappeared while vacationing nearby.

The unidentified missing man was last seen Tuesday at a tavern in Mathraki, west of the island of Corfu, where he was staying with a Greek-American friend, investigators told ABC News.

The friend called police after returning home Thursday to find the door to the house open, the lights on, the air conditioning unit on, but the American's ID and travel documents missing had disappeared, as well as the man himself, according to investigators.

Mathraki does not have a police station or coast guard, so officers from Corfu had to be called in to help with the investigation.

Mathraki has only 40 to 50 permanent residents in winter, and many Greek-Americans spend their summers there, according to local officials.

Search and rescue teams were in the water Thursday but halted operations Friday due to bad weather, officials said. The search is expected to continue on Saturday.

The unidentified man's disappearance occurred the same week that another American tourist went missing while visiting a Greek island.

Albert Calibet, 59, a former deputy with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, did not return Tuesday from a hike on the island of Amorgos.

Calibet, who a friend said had experience hiking in the area, reportedly began his hike at 7 a.m. local time on Tuesday and was last seen at 11 a.m. by hikers who he met on a trail, according to the Greek Hellenic National Police.

Greece is experiencing a heat wave this week, during which temperatures have soared to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.