Volunteers travel to Greece to search for missing Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy

Albert Calibet, 58, seen in this undated photo. (viewer photo)

Volunteers from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department have traveled to Greece as the search for a retired deputy intensifies.

Albert Calibet, 59, of Hermosa Beach, disappeared June 11 while hiking on the Greek island of Amorgos. The island was experiencing an extreme heatwave at the time, with temperatures reaching 97 degrees.

After his disappearance, Calibet's girlfriend and brother traveled to the island to help with the search. Now, according to an online fundraiser, two “waves” of Sheriff's Department volunteers have flown to Greece to help bring Calibet home.

“Hello. It's Friday evening 6 p.m. in Amorgos. Thanks to your generosity, our 2nd wave has just arrived on the island after 30 hours of 3 plane trips and a ferry,” said Robin Winston, the organizer of GoFundMe who identified himself as Calibet's best friend. “They are currently in a briefing with Oliver and can't wait to get started. Thank you for keeping Albert in your prayers.

Money raised from the fundraiser, which brought in more than $35,000 as of Saturday morning, is used to fund plane tickets, drones, hotel stays and meals for those participating in the search.

Winston told KTLA that Amorgos, which is about half the size of Catalina Island, is under-resourced and has no airport, making it difficult to access.

In a statement, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said in part:

“We are actively working with several agencies overseas to provide assistance in the search for Deputy Calibet and will use every resource we have to bring him back to those who love him.”