Officials conducting searches for missing TV doctor Michael Mosley have now narrowed their attention to a region known to be "very dangerous", according to reports. Manolis Tsimpoukas, a leading figure in the search effort for missing individuals on Greece's Dodecanese Islands, declared that they've shifted their operation towards an ominously named location known locally as 'The Abyss'.
So far, there has been no clue regarding the whereabouts of the 67-year-old British national, said the search co-ordinator. The search was halted at dusk on Saturday and was due to resume on Sunday morning. Dr Mosley disappeared on Wednesday while out walking in Symi, a little piece of paradise tucked away in Greece.
His wife, Dr Clare Bailey, communicated his absence to the police forces when he didn't return after six hours. She referred to the ongoing situation as the "longest and most unbearable days" for her and their four children together in a statement issued on Saturday.
The intense rescue effort initially kicked off near Pedi Bay and is now concentrating its perimeters near a set of tunnels, which are notoriously known to be "bottomless" and located closely by Agia Marina, reports the Mirror. Authorities voiced their fears, expressing that the father of four might have taken a "wrong turn". Saturday saw emergency teams searching across a 6.5km radius on a giant tract of land surrounded by sea.
Locals have repeatedly warned about this spot, often referred to as 'The Abyss', stating it compromises safety rules and poses great drowning risks inside tunnels. A local waiter explained the fearful aspects associated with the "deep system of tunnels", explaining that it's brimming with water. Speaking with The Telegraph, he said: "If there is a hole and you fall, you lose your sense of balance and drown there."
He added: "There is a reason they call it 'The 'Abyss. There is something very strange going on."
Reports indicate that Dr Mosley was feeling under the weather before he decided to take a walk on the island. The most recent CCTV footage shows the doctor, umbrella in hand, near Pedi's marina in Symi.
Earlier CCTV from a property by Pedi's marina captured the health expert heading towards a mountain path around 2pm on Wednesday.
On Saturday Dr Bailey, 62, said in a statement: "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.”
The couple's four grown-up children Alexander, Jack, Daniel and Katherine have followed the trail their father last took. They are believed to be part of a small group, which includes some friends, scouring a two-mile stretch between Pedi and Agia Marina.
Manolis Tsiboukas, the coordinator of civil alert in Greece, said: "They are stressing so much for their father. They want to find him as soon as possible."
Mayor of the island, Eleftherios Papakaloudoukas, said: "We know he came through Pedi and then walked towards Agia Marina. It is about two miles and a harder walk than from St Nikolas. If he did try and walk that way to Symi, then that is a big mistake.
"There are also many troubling questions here. Why did he leave the beach and his wife and friends? Why did he not take his telephone? From the CCTV footage, it's also clear he didn't stop for a drink in Pedi or take a rest. He seemed to be walking very determinedly. Surely it would have been better to stop and have a coffee or some water but, no, he decided to carry on."
The search was intensified as a helicopter, police officers and other rescue teams, including Red Cross volunteers who had come over from the adjacent island of Kos, joined the effort. A team who just ended their three-hour shift described the heat as almost unbearable.
Sniffer dogs brought in from Athens also struggled with the scorching temperatures, with one worn out within just an hour, the mayor said. Nevertheless, he promised the search would continue, indicating that a thermal-imaging helicopter would arrive soon.
He stated: "We are searching an area of around 6.5km in the mountains. There are only rocks, no shade, no trees. With 47C heat, you can't survive."
Among the search party were British tourists Jan Brownsort, 68, and Sue, 70, who said: "We did the walk from Symi town. We knew the area because we had just walked it so when we heard, we thought, 'Let's go and do the walk again and look'. We could see the area they were searching from where we're staying."
Possible theories circulating about the disappearance of Dr Mosley include falling off a cliff or being bitten by a snake. Surveillance footage shows a man believed to be him walking under a purple umbrella, more than a mile from his starting point on the beach.
He and his wife were taking their break near Symi, the primary port on the island that is just 25 square miles and houses a population of only 2,500. Dr Mosley's wife sounded the alarm after he failed to return at 7.30pm on Wednesday.
Following his disappearance, the son of another missing Welshman, John Tossell, 78, from Bridgend, who vanished while trekking on a Greek island five years ago, encouraged the Mosleys not to lose hope. Tossell disappeared during a trip to visit a monastery on Mount Skopos, Zakynthos.
Son Gary told Sky News: "When I read the story it's like a cut and paste of my father. I wish nothing but love to the Mosley family as I know exactly what they're going through. I want to tell them not to give up."
Dr Mosley, born in Kolkata, India, transitioned from an investment banking career to study medicine. Soon after, he joined the BBC as a fledgeling assistant producer. He made appearances on The One Show and ITV's This Morning and had just wrapped up a nationwide tour titled 'Eat Well, Sleep Better, Live Longer' alongside his wife.
Previously diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, which he managed to reverse, Dr Mosley is known for advocating intermittent fasting diets such as the 5:2 diet and The Fast 800 diet. His published work spans over two million books sold and garnered him an Emmy nomination for his BBC science documentary, The Human Face. He also presented the Channel 4 show Michael Mosley: Who Made Britain Fat?
