“We will not lose hope,” the wife of missing TV and radio presenter Michael Mosley has said, as the search continues on the Greek island of Symi.
The 67-year-old vanished after setting off on a walk on Wednesday. His wife, Dr. Clare Bailey Mosley, stated that the days since his disappearance have been “the longest and most unbearable.” On Saturday, a search and rescue operation resumed for Dr. Mosley, known for his TV programmes and BBC Radio 4’s “Just One Thing” podcast.
In her statement, Dr. Bailey Mosley said, “It has been three days since Michael left the beach to go for a walk. The longest and most unbearable days for myself and my children.”
“The search is ongoing and our family are so incredibly grateful to the people of Symi, the Greek authorities and the British Consulate who are working tirelessly to help find Michael.
“We will not lose hope.”
Dr. Clare Bailey Mosley has been searching the island with the help of friends, and the couple’s four children have also arrived on Symi to assist in the search. Michael Mosley disappeared on Wednesday after leaving his wife on Agios Nikolaos beach around 13:30 local time (11:30 BST). Without his phone, he was reported missing by his wife later that day.
New CCTV footage, one of the last-known sightings, shows a man believed to be Dr. Mosley walking with an umbrella near the marina in the village of Pedi on Wednesday, heading towards the rocky hills. The footage shows the man walking steadily and appearing to be in good condition, according to an unnamed police officer.
This has prompted Greek authorities to focus their search efforts on this part of the island.
The mountainous terrain poses significant risks, including the potential for falls, injuries, and getting lost. One theory suggests that Dr. Mosley might have been attempting a much longer route than initially thought, traversing miles of exposed hillside. His accommodation was in the main town, about a mile from Pedi.
BBC News walked a portion of the path Dr. Mosley is believed to have taken, noting the intense heat under the midday sun. The effects of the heat were felt quickly, highlighting the challenging conditions.
So far, police and firefighters have deployed drones, a helicopter, and a sniffer dog in their search efforts. Divers, patrol boats, private boats, and commercial boats have also been involved in the search, according to Symi’s coastguard.
Symi’s mayor, Eleftherios Papakaloudoukas, assured that the search would continue until Dr. Mosley is found, expressing hope that he would be found “safe and alive.” He noted the puzzling nature of Dr. Mosley attempting such a long and potentially difficult journey in the heat.
Dr. Michael Mosley, before his television career, studied medicine in London and qualified as a doctor. He has spent the last couple of decades as a presenter, documentary maker, journalist, and author. He has appeared on BBC One’s The One Show, ITV’s This Morning, and has been a columnist for the Daily Mail. His TV programmes include Channel 4’s Michael Mosley: Who Made Britain Fat? and BBC’s Trust Me, I’m A Doctor. Dr. Bailey Mosley, his wife, is also a doctor, author, and healthy living advocate. The couple recently appeared at the Hay Festival, where Dr. Mosley presented a special edition of his podcast, Just One Thing.
Reacting to the “shocking news,” his fellow Trust Me, I’m A Doctor co-star, Dr. Saleyha Ahsan, expressed her worry and hope for his safe return. On Thursday’s edition of The One Show, presenter Alex Jones opened the programme by expressing concern for “our friend,” sharing thoughts with his wife Clare and family, and hoping for positive news.
