Michael Mosley: Wife of missing TV doctor swears family 'won't give up hope' after 'unbearable' days | World News

The search for the 67-year-old broadcaster, who went missing in scorching heat on Wednesday, has become a “race against time” as rescuers navigate the snake-infested mountainous terrain.

The wife of missing doctor Michael Mosley has vowed her family “will not give up hope”, describing the days since his disappearance as “the longest and most unbearable”.

Dr Clare Bailey Mosley's statement comes as the couple's four children arrive on the Greek island of Symi and the focus of the broadcaster's in-depth research has shifted in a snake-infested mountainous area after CCTV footage of his last known movements was released.

As rescue operations continued despite rising temperatures, one rescuer said it was a “race against time”.

Making his first public comments, Dr Bailey Mosley said: “It's been three days since Michael left the beach for a walk. The longest and most unbearable days for me and my children.

“The search continues and our family is 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 mayor of Symi said there was “no chance” that the search, which involved helicopters, drones and diverswill be canceled until the 67-year-old is found.

But although Eleftherios Papakaloudoukas said he hoped the Briton would be found safe, he questioned how anyone could survive in the heat which exceeded 40C on the day he disappeared.

He noted that a search dog was only able to work for an hour on Saturday morning due to the weather.

Read more about the missing TV doctor:
What we know about his last known movements
Son reveals surreal parallels to the case of his father's disappearance

Mosley has not been seen since Wednesday after leaving his wife and another couple and leaving alone from the beach in Saint Nikolas to return on foot to their friends in the town of Symi.

He was then filmed by a security camera as he passed through the small fishing village of Pedi, about 1.2 km away, which appeared to show him heading towards isolated rocky terrain and in the wrong direction towards the capital of the island.

His wife raised the alarm after he failed to return.

A rescuer said: “The path is not easy to follow, if he took the wrong path he would be lost.

“He could be anywhere, it’s a race against time.”

The search for Mosley resumed early Saturday, with teams traveling a 4-mile radius over a mountainous landscape, which search organizers described as “very dangerous.”

Mr. Papakaloudoukas said that the area into which the missing people are said to have ventured is “only rocks” and “difficult to cross”, with “heaps” of snakes.

He added: “He chose paths which are very difficult to travel in such temperatures and whatever the circumstances.”

Authorities considered a number of possibilities for Mosley's disappearance, including that he suffered a fall or was bitten by a snake, according to reports.

He did not have his cell phone with him, which hampered efforts to find him.

Mosley, his wife and the other couple reportedly arrived in Symi for a week's vacation on Tuesday.

Mosley is a columnist and presenter who has made numerous films on healthy living.

Known for popularizing the 5:2 diet, he hosted Channel 4's Michael Mosley: Who Made Britain Fat? and was part of the BBC series Trust Me, I'm A Doctor.

He has also appeared on numerous daytime television shows and hosts the health podcast Just One Thing.