A major search operation is underway on the Greek island of Symi for Dr. Michael Mosley, a renowned British doctor and medical journalist, who went missing while on holiday. Mosley, best known for popularising intermittent fasting for weight loss, set off on a hike along St. Nicholas Beach at 1:30 pm on Wednesday but did not return. Greek police have since mobilised a broad search effort, involving firefighters, civil protection personnel, volunteers, a sniffer dog, a helicopter, and drones.
Authorities are focusing their search on the rugged 3km area between Agios Nikolaos and Symi’s main town, where Mosley was last seen. “They are working on the theory he may have been impacted by the heat and fallen,” said Mylee Hogan, highlighting the challenging terrain. The search has been expanded to include divers, coast guard patrol boats, and a specially trained sniffer dog brought in from Athens.
The UK Foreign Office has stated its support for Mosley’s family and is in contact with local authorities. An appeal for information was shared in a Symi Facebook group, featuring a picture of Mosley holding a backpack on the beach.
Mosley, 67, is well-known in the UK and beyond for his work on various health and diet programs. He popularised the 5:2 diet, which involves fasting for two days a week, and later introduced the Fast 800 diet, a rapid weight loss program. His media presence includes appearances on BBC’s “Trust Me, I’m a Doctor,” “The One Show,” and ITV’s “This Morning.”
Mosley’s disappearance has shocked friends and colleagues. Roy Taylor, a professor of medicine and metabolism at Newcastle University, expressed his concern: “This shocking news focuses our minds on Michael’s wife Clare and their sons. Our thoughts are with them in this terrible time of uncertainty, hoping that he will be found safely.”
CCTV footage has emerged showing Mosley walking towards Pedi, a nearby village, about 20 minutes after leaving St. Nicholas Beach. These images provide concrete proof that Mosley reached Pedi but raise more questions about his subsequent whereabouts. Local authorities are examining all CCTV footage on the island to narrow down the search area.
The search operation continues to expand. The island’s hot weather, with temperatures forecasted to reach 36°C, adds urgency to the efforts. The mayor of Symi, Eleftherios Papakalodoukas, suggested focusing on the sea, noting the island’s small size and the unlikelihood of Mosley disappearing without a trace.
Symi’s deputy mayor, Nikitas Gryllis, voiced the community’s sense of upheaval: “It’s as if the earth opened up and swallowed him.” Greek rescue officials are committed to continuing the search for as long as necessary.
Born in India in 1957, Mosley moved to England at age seven. He has four children with his wife, Clare Bailey Mosley, who is also a doctor, author, and health columnist. Mosley is credited with significant contributions to public health education through his books and television programs. His work has influenced many, including celebrities like Benedict Cumberbatch and Jimmy Kimmel.
