Symi, Greece - Anxiety is mounting as divers and rescue crews intensify their search for renowned TV doctor and columnist Michael Mosley, who vanished on the Greek island of Symi on Wednesday. The 67-year-old British national, known for popularizing the 5:2 diet and his appearances on "The One Show" and "This Morning," disappeared after setting off on a walk toward the island's center.
Local authorities resumed their search efforts early Friday morning after pausing overnight. Divers are now combing the waters while police and firefighters continue to scour the island, aided by drones and sniffer dogs. The Greek coast guard has also joined the operation, with patrol boats and local vessels assisting in the search.
Symi's deputy mayor, Ilias Chaskas, confirmed the divers' involvement to the PA news agency. He added that local volunteers are working alongside police drafted from other areas to cover the Pedi region and surrounding areas where Mosley was last seen.
However, hopes of finding Mosley in the Pedi area seem to be dwindling. Symi's mayor, Eleftherios Papakalodoukas, told the BBC that firefighters believe it's "impossible" Mosley is still in that location. “It is a very small, controlled area, full of people," he explained. "So if something happened to him there, we would have found him by now.”
Mosley was last seen in the Pedi area on Wednesday, according to a woman who reported his disappearance. A worker at a beachside coffee shop in Pedi told PA that authorities had been searching the area with no results.
The search is taking place under a scorching sun, with temperatures expected to reach 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit). A yellow weather warning for high temperatures is in effect for Symi and neighboring islands, including Rhodes.
Mosley's disappearance was reported to Greek police on Wednesday, prompting a large-scale search and rescue effort. Six firefighters, a vehicle, and a drone team arrived from Rhodes on Thursday to assist local authorities.
