Michael Mosley missing: Sniffer dogs 'withdrawn from search' on Greek island 'over fears it's too hot'
Michael Mosley's search teams using a sniffer dog have reportedly left the scene and returned to Athens, possibly due to concerns over the dog's health.
TV doctor Michael Mosley was last seen strolling through the town of Pedi on the Aegean island of Symi on Wednesday 5 June at 1.52pm, roughly 20 minutes after he went on a hiking trail from St Nickolas beach.
It's speculated that the 67 year old may have encountered difficulties during his hike, but on Saturday night, searchers shifted their attention to a cave system known as The Abyss, where they believe he might have ventured.
BBC Correspondent Joe Inwood, reporting live from Symi on BBC Breakfast on Sunday morning, 9 June, shared: "The authorities have said that they will continue the search...
"They will continue to look for Dr Michael Mosley until he is found, but the longer it goes on the more that hope will dwindle I'm sorry to say."
"Another thing we've learned this morning is that the search and rescue dog who had been on the hillside is being sent back to Athens.
"Now that could be a sign that they are winding down, but it's also being reported that it's so hot here that the dog has been burning its paws on the hillside and so can't work because of the heat.
"Now we don't know which of those it is but that is a development we've had in the last hour or so."
Helicopters, drones, dogs and numerous emergency responders continue to comb the Dodecanese Island.
Local police were notified about the disappearance of the 67 year old British national on the island on Wednesday, reports the Mirror.
The Fire Brigade, with the support of the Hellenic Police, Civil Protection volunteers and a police dog, are conducting a search for Dr Mosley, using drones to aid their efforts.
CCTV last captured Dr Mosley near a grey-stoned house by a harbour on the island. It's believed he may have taken a walk up a steep concrete road.
At the end of this road, a small path leads into a rocky landscape filled with thistles and dry grass.
Symi's mayor, Eleftherios Papakaloudoukas, has pledged to continue the extensive search operation involving police, firefighters with drones, and divers.
The long-serving mayor expressed his concerns about survival in the intense heat, which reached over 40C on the day the 'Trust Me, I'm A Doctor' presenter disappeared.
Michael Mosley is a TV presenter, scientist and journalist who has published several books on diet and fasting.
His bestselling books include The Clever Guts Diet, The Fast Diet, Fast Exercise and The 8-Week Blood Sugar Diet.
Dr Mosley created the 5:2 diet, where someone eats a 'normal' number of calories five days a week, and on two, non-consecutive days they eat 25% of their normal intake – 500 calories for women, and 600 for men.
