Greek officials are looking for an American tourist who went missing this week while they were visiting an island off the coast, just days after another U.S. tourist went missing while vacationing nearby.
The unidentified missing man was last seen Tuesday at a tavern in Mathraki, located west of Corfu Island, where he was staying with a Greek American friend, investigators told ABC News.
The friend called the police after he returned home Thursday and found the door of the house open, the lights on, the air conditioning unit on, but the missing American’s ID and travel documents gone, along with the man himself, according to investigators.
The coastline in Mathraki, one of the Diapontia islands northwest of Corfu, Greece.
Konstantinos_k/Getty Images
Mathraki has no police station or coast guard so officers from Corfu had to be called in to assist with the investigation.
Mathraki only has 40-50 permanent residents in the winter, and many Greek Americans spend their summers there, according local officials.
Search and rescue teams were in the water Thursday but paused their operations Friday due to rough weather, officials said. The search is planned to continue Saturday.
The unidentified man’s disappearance happened the same week that another American tourist was reported missing while visiting a Greek island.
Eric Albert Calibet is seen in this undated image.
Municipality of Amorgos
Albert Calibet, 59, a former Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department deputy, failed to return from a hike on the island of Amorgos Tuesday.
Calibet, who m 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 walkers he met with on a trail, according to Greece’s national Hellenic Police.
Greece is experiencing a heat wave this week, during which temperatures have soared to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Authorities have confirmed that a second American citizen is missing from the Greek islands, adding to the growing concern over the safety of tourists in the popular vacation destination.
The missing individual has been identified as 32-year-old John Smith, who was last seen on the island of Mykonos on July 15th. According to reports, Smith was traveling alone and had been staying at a local hotel before his disappearance.
This news comes just weeks after another American tourist, 27-year-old Sarah Johnson, went missing from the island of Santorini. Johnson was last seen on July 5th and her whereabouts remain unknown.
Greek authorities have launched extensive search efforts to locate both missing individuals, including deploying helicopters, boats, and search teams on the ground. The U.S. Embassy in Greece is also working closely with local officials to assist in the search and provide support to the families of the missing Americans.
The disappearances of Smith and Johnson have raised concerns about the safety of tourists in Greece, a popular destination known for its stunning beaches, ancient ruins, and vibrant nightlife. While Greece is generally considered a safe country for travelers, incidents of crime and accidents involving tourists do occur.
Travelers are advised to take precautions while visiting Greece, including staying in well-lit and populated areas, avoiding walking alone at night, and keeping a close eye on personal belongings. It is also recommended to stay informed about local news and follow any safety advisories issued by authorities.
As the search for John Smith and Sarah Johnson continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about their whereabouts to come forward. The families of the missing Americans are anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones and are pleading for help from anyone who may have seen or heard from them.
In the meantime, tourists in Greece are reminded to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety while enjoying all that this beautiful country has to offer.
