Michael Mosley: Greece search to resume for missing TV presenter

Efforts will continue to find Michael Mosley, a well-known British media personality who has become unaccounted for during his vacation on the Greek island of Symi.

Renowned for his television shows and his podcast called Just One Thing on BBC Radio 4, the host was last spotted on Wednesday.

He had begun a hike towards the heart of the island.

The local authorities announced on Thursday night that the operation had taken a break for the evening. However, they also added that additional personnel would be joining the effort tomorrow morning.

At approximately 7:00 PM in local time (5:00 PM in BST), a helicopter was dispatched from the city of Athens in Greece to assist in the exploration effort.

The police department is receiving additional support from a drone that is scouring difficult-to-reach areas, as well as a K9 unit.

According to the Greek authorities, Mr Mosley abandoned his spouse Clare on the shore prior to embarking on a stroll towards the heart of the isle last Wednesday.

According to a spokesperson from the police department, the missing man's phone was discovered in the location he had been residing with his spouse, who had reported his disappearance, as reported by BBC News.

The individual who communicates information on television that is 67 years old has gained recognition for their involvement in various BBC shows, such as Trust Me, I'm A Doctor and The One Show, in addition to This Morning on ITV.

The authorities on the island couldn't locate Mr. Mosley, so they asked for assistance from the fire department in Athens, Greece. Firefighters from Rhodes came to Symi around 2 PM on Thursday.

Firemen, non-professionals and law enforcers are aiding in the quest.

Police are also scouring surveillance camera recordings in order to find any indication of Mr. Mosley's whereabouts.

BBC News was told by the deputy mayor of Symi, Ilias Chaskas, that the rescue efforts are centered around the Pedi region of the island. This is because a lady reported seeing him in the same area on Wednesday.

According to him, the vicinity was deemed precarious, however, he pointed out that the lady spotted Mr. Mosley on the street in a much secure section of Pedi.

According to the mayor of the island, Eleftherios Papakalodoukas, the firefighters who were conducting the search informed him that they thought it was highly unlikely that Mr. Mosley was still present there.

According to BBC News, the speaker stated that the location is limited and managed, with a high population density. Therefore, if any unfortunate incident occurred to him there, he would have been discovered by now.

According to Mr. Papakalodoukas, Mr. Mosley may have taken a different direction or accidentally ended up in the water.

On Wednesday, a local Facebook group put up a message asking for help about a man who was not around. The message came with a photo of Mr. Mosley dressed in a blue cap, a polo shirt, and shorts.

"Did you happen to come across this individual? He started to walk back from [Agios Nikolaos beach] at around 1:30 PM but didn't reach his house," the statement read.

Symi experienced scorching heat on Wednesday, as the National Observatory of Athens recorded temperatures exceeding 40C at 3:00 pm.

Symi belongs to the Dodecanese island cluster in Greece and is positioned around 12 miles (19km) towards the north-west of Rhodes. According to the census conducted in 2021, the total number of individuals residing there was almost 2,600.

Most of the beaches are isolated and it is recommended to use boats to access them.

It is quite hard to hike through the rocky terrain around Agios Nikolaos beach.

Area inhabitants are attempting to comprehend the reasoning behind an individual embarking on a trek without the aid of their mobile device to navigate, rather than opting to return by boat, especially given the arduous circumstances.

Symi has been issued an extreme heat warning, as temperatures are expected to go up to 48C on Friday.

The scorching hot weather and rough landscape will add further obstacles for the search party looking for Mr. Mosley.

A representative from the Foreign Office has stated that they are providing assistance to the relatives of a UK citizen who has disappeared in Greece and are liaising with the relevant local officials.

After completing his medical studies in London and gaining his doctorate, Mr. Mosley has spent the past two decades working as a host, creator of documentaries, reporter, and writer.

He authors a regular feature for the Daily Mail, and his television appearances encompass the Channel 4 program entitled Michael Mosley: Who Caused Obesity in Britain?

Mr. Mosley has been a promoter of diets that involve intermittent fasting, such as the 5:2 diet and The Fast 800 diet.

He and his spouse, Clare Bailey Mosley, who is also a doctor, writer, and advocate for healthy living, are proud parents of four kids.

The pair made an appearance at the Hay Festival, during which Mr. Mosley showcased a unique version of his show, Just One Thing.

In response to the unexpected information, Dr. Saleyha Ahsan, his co-star on Trust Me, I'm A Doctor, expressed her hope for his secure return and shared that she is experiencing intense distress and apprehension.

During the latest episode of The One Show on Thursday, Alex Jones shared her worry about the absence of "our friend" at the start of the program.

"We are thinking of his wife Clare and the rest of his family during this concerning time. We are wishing for better updates," she said.